Full text of Monthly Labor Review : May 1993, Volume 116, Number 5

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RESEARCH LIBRARY
Federai Reserve Bank
m of St. Louis

OtlN 2 8 1993
Monthly Labor Review
May 1993
Volume 116, Number 5

Deborah P. Klein, Editor-in-Chief
Robert W. Fisher, Executive Editor

Articles

Reports

Departments


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3

Spending by older consumers: 1980 and 1990 compared
In 1990, older Americans, especially those aged 65 to 74 had higher
preretirement and pension earnings, compared with their 1980 counterparts
Pamela B. Hitschler

14

Cost of employee compensation in public and private sectors
Much of the variation in costs in the two sectors is due to differences
in occupational mix and types of compensation packages provided
Bradley R. Braden and Stephanie L. Hyland

22

Collective bargaining agreements provided moderate changes in 1992
Despite a pickup in the economy, concern about job security remained,
perhaps, contributing to restraint by parties at the bargaining table
Fehmida R. Sleemi and Phyllis I. Brown

34

Multifactor productivity in utility services industries
The slowdown in growth after 1983 reflects the impact of energy prices
on these industries which are heavily dependent on fossil fuel inputs
John L. Glaser

50

Producer prices in 1992 held down by productivity gains
Craig Howell, William Thomas, Harry Briggs, Scott Sager

53

Consumer price rise slows further in 1992
Richard C. Bahr

2
50
57
62
66
71

Labor month in review
Research summaries
Major agreements expiring next month
Developments in industrial relations
Book reviews
Current labor statistics

Labor
month
in review

KLEIN AWARD. The Lawrence R.
Klein Award trustees selected the au­
thors of two articles published in the
Monthly Labor Review in 1992 as
winners of the 24th annual Klein
Award. The award will be presented at
the Bureau of Labor Statistics awards
ceremony on June 8.

grants included the length of time they
had lived in the United States and
their fluency in English, strong indica­
tors of the degree to which immigrants
had been assimilated into U.S. socioe­
conomic life.

Gendell and Siegel use Social Security
and Current Population Survey data
This year, the trustees honored to track trends in retirement age by
these authors:
sex from 1950 to 1990, and to project
• Joseph R.Meisenheimer II, former­ those trends through the year 2005.
ly of the Bureau’s Office of Employ­ Results of the study indicate that age
ment and Unemployment Statistics, at final retirement has fallen by be­
for “How do immigrants fare in the tween 4 and 5 years for both men and
U.S. labor market?” which appeared women since mid-century. Moreover,
in the December issue; and
the authors project continued declines
• Murray Gendell and Jacob S. Siegel, for the 1990’s, accelerating for the pe­
for “Trends in retirement age by sex, riod 2000-05. According to the au­
1950-2000,” in the July issue, which thors, the magnitude and pace of the
took the award for best 1992 Monthly postwar decline were similar for men
Labor Review article by an author out­ and women, including a marked de­
side BLS.
celeration that took place during the
Receiving special commendation 1970’s.
Gendell and Siegel cite the impor­
were b ls economist Martin Personick
for developing what has become a con­ tance of their estimates for future so­
tinuing series of articles providing cioeconomic developments. A decline
profiles in safety and health in various in the average age at retirement, as
industries. The staff of the b ls Office of well as a general gain in longevity of
Employment Projections were simi­ the population, tends to raise the eco­
larly commended for publication of nomic dependency burden placed by
their ongoing evaluations of the accu­ the elderly on younger cohorts still in
the labor force. This, in turn, tends to
racy of their projections.
make increases in per capita income
The Meisenheimer article compares harder to achieve, even as the costs of
the labor market status of immigrants income transfers to the elderly rise.
with that of U.S. natives, using data Given these factors, the issues of the
from a special supplement to the No­ desirability and feasibility of reversing
vember 1989 Current Population Sur­ the decline in retirement age are
vey. The survey showed, for example, sharpened. Despite recurrent fore­
that the unemployment rate for immi­ casts over the years of a reversal, the
grants was somewhat higher than the authors maintain that it has not hap­
rate for native-born workers, and that pened yet. Nor does it appear likely to
the weekly earnings of immigrants do so for another decade.
who worked full time were significant­
ly lower than those of natives. The Personick’s special commendation is
study pointed to differences in educa­ in appreciation of his continuing effort
tional attainment as a major reason for to apprise the public of job safety and
these disparities. Other factors affect­ health issues as they relate to industry
ing the labor market status of immi­ of the affected worker, type of injury,
2 Monthly Labor Review May 1993

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and other factors. The series of ar­
ticles, written by Personick and staff
of the Division of Safety and Health
Statistics, also addresses the changing
composition of the economy, focusing
not only on manufacturing industries,
but also on the increasingly important
services industries, such as retail gro­
cery stores and nursing homes.
Projections of alternative scenarios of
economic growth are prepared bien­
nially by the Bureau’s Office of Em­
ployment Projections. A vital part of
the projections process is evaluation of
the accuracy of earlier projections to
determine how the process can be im­
proved. Members of the Office’s staff
produce articles comparing their pro­
jections with actual historical data
covering the projected years. This fi­
nal stage of the projections process al­
lows the Bureau to identify strengths
and weaknesses as it continues to im­
prove and refine its projections.
About the award. Trustees of the
Klein Award Fund are Lawrence R.
Klein; Howard Rosen, president; Ben
Burdetsky, secretary-treasurer; Peter
Henle; Harold Goldstein; Henry Lowenstern; Jerome Mark; and Deborah
Klein. The award was established in
1968 in honor of Lawrence R. Klein,
editor-in-chief of the Monthly Labor
Review for 22 years until his retire­
ment in 1969. The purpose of the
award is to encourage Review articles
that (1) exhibit originality of ideas or
method of analysis, (2) adhere to the
principle of scientific inquiry, and (3)
are well written. Each winning article
carries a cash prize.
Tax deductible contributions to the
fund may he sent to Ben Burdetsky,
Secretary-Treasurer, Lawrence R.
Klein Fund, c/o School of Govern­
ment and Business Administration,
The George Washington University,
Washington d c 20052.
□

Spending by older consumers:
1980 and 1990 compared
Estimates of expenditure and income suggest that today’s
older Americans have higher preretirement
and pension earnings than their 1980 counterparts;
this is especially true of those aged 65 to 74

Pamela B. Hitschler

Pamela B. Hitschler is an
economist in the Office of
Prices and Living Condi­
tions, Bureau of Labor
Statistics.


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s the century draws to an end, more
attention is being focused on the aging
of the Nation’s population. Persons
aged 65 years and older will comprise more
than 14 percent of the U.S. population by 2010,
and 22 percent by 2030.1(See table 1.) Today, 1
in 8 consumer units has a household head aged
65 or older.2 With such a large demographic
shift, spending patterns in the economy will
change. Over the last 10 years, the population
aged 65 and older has grown by 22 percent,
compared with 9 percent for those under age
65.3 Among persons 65 and older, the rate of
population increase rises with age. During the
1980’s, the population aged 65 to 74 grew by 16
percent, while the numbers of persons aged 75
and older rose 31 percent.4 The economic con­
sequences of an aging population are being
studied closely by economists, sociologists,
and policymakers.
An earlier article in the Review, which ex­
amined the expenditures of older persons us­
ing 1984 data from the Bureau of Labor Statis­
tics Consumer Expenditure Survey, reported
distinct differences in spending patterns be­
tween persons aged 65 to 74 and those aged 75
and older.5 In particular, differences were
found in expenditures for housing, transporta­
tion, and health care. Differences also were
found in income. This article updates esti­
mates of expenditures and income for the same

A

two age groups. Consumer units (or “house­
holds”)6 whose reference person (or “house­
hold head”) is aged 65 to 74 are referred to as
the “younger group,” while those with refer­
ence persons aged 75 and older are termed the
“older group.”
Tables 2 and 3 summarize the differences in
characteristics and spending patterns of the
two major subgroups of older Americans be­
tween 1980 and 1990. For both groups, the
largest expenditures in both years were for
housing, followed by food and transportation.
(Unless otherwise indicated, all expenditure
and income estimates presented in this article
are in current dollars.) However, the younger
group had higher total expenditures and in­
come than the older group in both 1980 and
1990. Consumer units in the younger group
spent, on average, a significantly larger
amount on every major expenditure cate­
gory except housing and health care
in both years. They did not spend much more
on housing than the older group in 1980, but
did in 1990. However, they did spend less
on health care. In addition, other important
changes occurred in measures for transporta­
tion, Social Security and pensions, entertain­
ment, and travel.
Expenditure trends
Housing. Older consumer units benefited from
the post-World War II building boom,
Monthly Labor Review May 1993

3

Spending by Older Consumers

Table 1.

The older population as a share of the total U.S.
population, 1900-1990, and projected to 2050

[In thousands]

Year

1900.................................
1950.................................
1970.................................
1980.................................
1990.................................
2000.................................
2010.................................
2020.................................
2030.................................
2040.................................
2050.................................

65 to 74
years

Total

75 years
and older

Number

Percent

75,995
150,697
203,302
226,546
248,710

2,187
8,415
12,447
15,581
18,045

2.9
5.6
6.1
6.9
7.3

894
3,854
7,533
9,969
13,033

1.2
2.5
3.7
4.4
5.2

268,266
282,575
294,364
300,629
301,807
299,849

18,243
21,039
30,973
35,988
30,808
31,590

6.8
7.4
10.5
12.0
10.2
10.5

16,639
18,323
21,094
29,616
37,301
36,942

6.2
6.5
7.2
9.8
12.4
12.4

Number

Percent

Source: Cynthia Taeuber, Sixty-Five Plus in America, Current Population Reports,
Special Studies P23-178 (Bureau of the Census, 1992). Data for 1900 to 1990 are April 1
census figures. Data from 2000 to 2050 are projections to July 1 of each year. Projections
are based on middle (moderate) fertility, mortality, and immigration assumptions.

during which demand was high, mortgages
were obtainable at low interest rates, and tax
incentives and other Federal policies designed
to promote homeownership were in effect.
During the 1960’s and 1970’s, the highest rate
of increase in homeownership was among the
group aged 45 through 64.7 Mortgage interest
rates hovered around 6 percent through the
mid-1960’s, remained below 9 percent until
the late 1970’s, and then rose sharply, reaching
a high of 15 percent in 1982.8 The low interest
rates and home prices of the 1960’s and 1970’s
are reflected in the currently large number of
homeowners aged 65 and older who have paid
off their mortgages (81 percent).
In the last 10 years, the homeownership rate
has continued to increase among both the old­
er and younger groups. It rose from 76 percent
in 1980 to 82 percent in 1990 for the younger
group, and from 66 percent to 72 percent for
older households. As homeownership in­
creased, so did the proportion of those homeowners aged 65 to 74 with mortgages —18 per­
cent in 1980, compared with 27 percent in
1990. The proportion of those aged 75 and old­
er with a mortgage was unchanged, at 8 per­
cent, between 1980 and 1990. Consistent with
higher rates of homeownership and higher in­
terest rates are higher mortgage interest expen­
ditures. The younger group spent 4 times more
on mortgage interest in 1990 than they did in
1980, and the older group spent twice as much
4 Monthly Labor Review May 1993

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as in the earlier year. Even though mortgage
interest payments have increased dramatical­
ly, particularly for the younger group, they are
still a small proportion of the average total
housing budget because of the large number of
older consumer units who own homes without
mortgages. Utilities (30 percent), property
taxes (13 percent), and maintenance, repairs,
and insurance (11 percent) still consume the
bulk of their housing budgets.
Another component of housing expendi­
tures that grew substantially among the two
groups is “other lodging.” The younger
group’s expenditures on other lodging more
than tripled since 1980; the older group’s more
than doubled. Other lodging includes two ma­
jor components: owned second homes and outof-town lodging, such as costs for hotels, mo­
tels, cottages, and so forth. Most of this in­
crease is included in “lodging while out of
town,” the largest component of other lodging,
which will be discussed below under travel.
Health care. More of the total budget of those
aged 65 and older now is consumed by out-ofpocket health care expenditures than was the
case in the early 1980’s. As health care costs
rise, older persons are paying higher health
plan premiums, deductibles, and copayments,
and more older persons are buying commer­
cial supplements to medicare, which is causing
a shift in health expenditure shares from medi­
cal services to health insurance for both age
groups. Table 4 shows detailed out-of-pocket
health care expenditures and shares for older
households in 1980 and 1990.
During the 1980’s, out-of-pocket medical
service expenditures increased 67 percent for
the younger group and 4 percent for the older
group, and the medical services component of
the Consumer Price index for All Urban Con­
sumers rose more than 115 percent.9However,
while both the level of expenditures and the
Consumer Price Index increased, the share of
medical service expenditures in the total health
care budget dropped from 44 percent in 1980
to 31 percent in 1990 for those consumer units
with heads aged 65 to 74, and from 57 percent
to 32 percent for those in the older group. (See
chart 1.)
Contributing to trends in medical costs were
the large increases over the last decade in
medicare deductibles and copayments re­
quired for hospital stays of more than 60 days.
Medicare inpatient hospital deductibles —the

Chart 1.

Distribution of medical expenditures by consumer units aged 65 to 74 ana agea 75
and older, 1980 and 1990
1980 average health expenditure shares,
consumer units aged 65 to 74

1980 average health expenditure shares,
consumer units aged 75 and older

1990 average health expenditure shares,
consumer units aged 65 to 74

1990 average health expenditures,
consumer units aged 75 and older

r::x:::x :::x :x :x :x :::x
Medical
supplies
Health insurance

Medical services

share of expenses that must be paid by the pa­
tient before medicare payments kick in —rose
from $180 in 1980 to $560 in 1990. Copay­
ments are the share of hospital costs that must
be born by the insured after the insurance pro­
gram has begun to pay its share. These copay­
ments for the 61st through the 90th days rose
from $45 in 1980 to $148 in 1990; copayments
after 90 days tripled as well.10
The seeming inconsistency of a large in­
crease in price and a relatively small increase


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in out-of-pocket medical service expenditures
is partially explained by the tripling of health
insurance expenditures by consumers: the in­
crease in medicare deductibles and copay­
ments, and the general rise in cost for medical
services have served as an impetus to acquire
more comprehensive health insurance cover­
age to supplement medicare. Having more
health insurance, covering a wider range of
health care needs, reduces out-of-pocket medi­
cal service expenditures. Health insurance as a
Monthly Labor Review May 1993

5

Spending by Older Consumers
Table 2.

Average total expenditures and t-statistics by age, Consumer Expenditure
Interview Survey, 1980
Age
Item

Total consumer units
(In thousands)............................
Consumer unit characteristics:
Income before taxes.......................
Average number of persons...........
Average age of reference person ..
Average number in consumer unit:
Earners..........................................
Vehicles.........................................
Resident children under 1 8 ..........
Persons aged 65 and older..........
Percent homeowners:
With mortgage...............................
Without mortgage..........................
Percent renters...............................
At least one vehicle
owned (percent)............................

65 and older
Under
65

Total

65 to 74

75 and
older

65 to 74 vs.
75 and older

65,023

17,029

10,751

6,278

$20,386
3.0
40.0

$9,615
1.8
73.3

$10,150
1.9
69.3

$8,629
1.6
80.3

1.7
2.2
1.0
0

.4
1.2
0
1.4

.5
1.4
.1
1.3

.3
.8
0
1.4

__

44
18
38

10
63
28

13
63
24

5
61
34

—
—
—

—

—

—
—

_
_
—

88

70

79

55

—

Total expenditures............................
Food, total........................................
Food at home................................
Food away from home.................
Alcoholic beverages........................
Housing, total..................................
Shelter............................................
Owned dwellings.........................
Mortgage interest......................
Property taxes...........................
Maintenance, repairs,
and insurance.........................
Rented dwellings.........................
Other lodging..............................
Utilities...........................................
Household operations..................
Housefurnishings and
equipment...................................

$17,779
3,364
2,540
824
302
5,002
2,792
1,673
974
317

$10,095
2,168
1,745
424
112
3,269
1,530
889
102
328

$10,744
2,363
1,881
482
125
3,221
1,564
982
132
347

$ 8,984
1,835
1,511
323
89
3,351
1,471
729
51
296

*2.31
*6.13
*5.10
*3.88
*2.33
-.6 3
.66
*2.40
*2.99
1.26

382
863
257
1,228
222

458
498
143
990
375

503
421
161
1,049
157

382
629
113
888
748

1.60
*-3.93
1.83
*5.15
*-5.96

760

374

451

244

*5.18

Apparel and services.....................
Transportation.................................
Health, total......................................
Medical services.........................
Health insurance.........................
Prescription drugs,
medical supplies.......................
Entertainment..................................
Personal care..................................
Reading............................................
Education.........................................
Tobacco and smoking supplies.....
Miscellaneous.................................
Cash contributions..........................
Pensions, retirement,
and so forth....................................
Life and other insurance................

970
3,876
658
364

450
1,972
899
393

200

375
1,626
992
487
320

246
1,035
1,152
647
298

*6.70
*4.75
*-3.35
*-4.01
1.52

95
808
149
115
233
197
272
437

186
262
127
82
23
93
168
532

173
322
140
89
27
191
502

207
158
107
71
15
63
129
584

*-1.97
*4.80
*3.63
*2.76
.82
*4.75
1.52
-.3 7

1,108
287

141
124

182
150

72
81

*4.48
*4.46

Note:

333

111

Asterisk denotes significance at the 95-'percent confidence level.

share of total health expenditures expanded
from 37 percent in 1980 to 48 percent in 1990
for the younger group, and from 26 percent to
45 percent for the older group.
While increased expenditures for health in­
surance premiums are seen for all age groups
in the population over the 1980-90 period,
6 Monthly Labor Review May 1993

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t-statlstlc

they are most dramatic for those over 65. In
large part, the greater expenditures indicate an
increase in participation in commercial health
insurance plans. The proportion of households
aged 65 to 74 reporting expenditures for com­
mercial supplements to medicare doubled,
from 12 percent in 1980 to 23 percent in

Table 3.

Average total expenditures and t-statistics by age, Consumer Expenditure
Interview Survey, 1990
___
Age
65 and older
Item

Under

65

Total consumer units
(in thousands)....................

Total

65 to 74

75 and
older

65 to 74 VS.
75 and older

76,889

20,079

11,318

8,761

$35,433

$18,842
1.7

$21,501
1.9

$15,435

2.8
40.1

74.2

69.2

80.7

89

78

87

67

Total expenditures.........................
Food, total....................................
Food at home.............................
Food away from home............. .
Alcoholic beverages...................
Housing, total..............................
Shelter........................................
Owned dwellings.....................
Mortgage interest..................
Property taxes.......................
Maintenance, repairs,
and insurance......................
Rented dwellings.....................
Other lodging...........................
Utilities.......................................
Household operations..............
Housefurnishings and
equipment...............................

$29,442
4,636
3,353
1.234
290
9,029
5,529
3.234
2,195
555

$18,072
3,236
2,494
741
113
5,752
3,128
1,880
367
760

$20,386
3,717
2,827
890
143
6,174
3,339
2,081
568
824

$15,082
2,613
2,064
549
73
5,208
2,857
1,619
107
677

*6.24
*7.93
*7.93
*4.46
*4.37
*3.08
1.87
*2.33
*7.64
1.76

1,099

533

654

377

*3.99

Apparel and services.................
Transportation.............................
Health, total.................................
Medical services.......................
Health insurance.......................
Prescription drugs,
medical supplies....................
Entertainment..............................
Personal care.............................
Reading.......................................
Education....................................
Tobacco and smoking supplies.
Miscellaneous............................
Cash contributions.....................
Pensions, retirement,
and so forth..............................
Life and other insurance...........

1,499
5,625
1,204
535
475

615
2,863
2,109
664
990

755
3,444

434
2,113
2,118
674
960

2,712
370

468
249

Consumer unit characteristics:
Income before taxes...................
Average number of persons........
Average age of reference
person.......................................
Average number in
consumer unit:
Earners.....................................
Vehicles....................................
Resident children under 1 8 ....
Persons aged 65 and older....
Percent homeowners:
With mortgage............................
Without mortgage.......................
Percent renters............................
At least one vehicle......................
owned (percent).........................

Note:

1.6

484
1,715
581
1,941
460

2,102
656
1,014

*6.60
*5.00

Asterisk denotes significance at the 95-percent confidence level.

199011; a similar rise is seen for the older group
as well. Another reason why health insurance
accounts for a growing portion of the health
care budget involves rising premiums for the
Government’s Medicare Supplementary Med­
ical Insurance for medicare participants:
monthly premiums for this insurance tripled


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over the decade, from $9.60 per individual in
1980 to $28.60 in 1990.
Transportation. While the share of expendi­
tures accounted for by transportation did not
change significantly over the 1980’s, more old­
er consumer units owned an automobile in
Monthly Labor Review May 1993;' 7

Spending by Older Consumers
1990 than in 1980. The percentage of consum­ Shares of total expenditures for retirement
er units who owned an automobile increased funds changed significantly for the younger
from 79 percent in 1980 to 87 percent in 1990 group over the 1980-90 period. (See table 5.) So­
for the younger group, and from 55 percent to cial Security taxes, the largest component of re­
67 percent for older households. As a conse­ tirement expenditures, more than tripled for the
quence, the share of the transportation budget younger households, rising from $148.83 in
devoted to vehicle finance charges and insur­
1980 to $463.15 in 1990. (Because the older
ance increased significantly. The share attrib­
group has fewer earners, they are less affected
utable to gasoline expenditures declined sub­
by changes in Social Security tax rates.) The So­
stantially, in part due to falling oil prices, while
cial Security tax on wage and salary workers
the level of such expenditures remained virtu­
rose from 6.1 percent in 1980 to 7.7 percent in
ally unchanged. In 1980, oil prices were high
1990, and that for self-employed persons, from
after the 1979-80 oil shock, but in 1982, the
8 percent to over 15 percent. At the same time,
price of gasoline began to decline as the oil sup­
ply situation eased. It was not until 1990 that the earnings base to which the Social Security
the price of gasoline reached a level above that tax is applied was raised from $25,900 to
of 1980. As measured by the Consumer Price $51,300. Of course, whilesomeoftheincreasein
Index for All Urban Consumers, the price of retirement expenditures is accounted for by
changes in Social Security regulations, another
gasoline rose 24 percent from 1980 to 1990.
contributing factor is higher earnings, which
Retirement, pensions, and Social Security. will be discussed in the section below on income.

Table 4.

Health expenditures by age group from the Consumer Expenditure Interview
Survey, 1980 and 1990
1980

Expenditure type

1990

65 and older
Total

65 to 74

65 and older
75 and
older

Total

65 to 74

Total health care expenditures..........

$992

$899

$1,152

$2,109

$2,102

$2,118

Medical services................................
Physician services.........................
Nonphysician services...................
Prescription drugs1...........................
Health insurance, total......................
Health maintenance
organizations,
Blue Cross/Blue Shield................
Commercial health
insurance.....................................
Medicare payments......................
Commercial supplements
to medicare, other
health insurance.........................
Medical supplies................................

487
152
335
146
320

393
149
245
138
333

647
158
489
161
298

663
227
437
395
990

656
232
424
372
1,014

674
220
454
424
960

93

99

83

284

269

303

77
113

82
113

69
114

164
348

185
349

137
345

37
39

40
35

32
46

194
61

210
60

174
61

49.0
15.3
33.7
14.8
32.3

43.7
16.5
27.3
15.4
37.0

56.2
13.7
42.5
14.0
25.9

31.4
10.8
20.6
18.7
46.9

31.2
11.0
20.1
17.6
48.1

31.8
10.4
21.4
20.0
45.3

9.4
7.8
11.4

11.0
9„1
12.6

7.3
6.0
9.9

13.5
7.8
16.5

12.8
8.8
16.6

14.3
6.5
16.3

3.7
3.9

4.4
3.9

2.8
4.0

9.2
2.9

10.0
2.9

8.2
2.9

Percent of health budget:
Medical services................................
Physician services..........................
Nonphysician services....................
Prescription drugs1...........................
Health, insurance, to ta l...................
Health maintenance organizations,
Blue Cross/Blue Shield................
Commercial health insurance......
Medicare payments......................
Commercial supplements
to medicare, other health
insurance....................................
Medical supplies...............................

’ Includes prescription drugs and nonprescription drugs.
Asterisk denotes significance at the 95-percent confidence level.

note:

8 Monthly Labor Review May 1993

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75 and
older

this change is due to an increase in fees and
costs of admission, and part reflects greater TV,
radio, and sound equipment expenditures. (See
table 6.) Spending on TV, radio, and sound
equipment more than tripled for the younger
group, and more than doubled for older house­
holds. Over the same period, the percent of
consumer units reporting TV, radio, and sound
equipment expenditures grew from 30 to 61
percent for the younger group, and from 24 to
43 percent for older households. A large part
of this increase is accounted for by growth in
cable TV expenditures. The average annual
Entertainment. Both the younger and older outlay for cable TV increased from $19.59
groups spent significantly larger shares of total to $148.10 for the younger group, and from
expenditures on entertainment in 1990 than $18.41 to $90.56 for the older group. Three
they did in 1980. (See table 4.) While some of times as many of the younger households and

The second largest component of pensions
and Social Security comprises IRA’s and
Keogh fund contributions, reflecting the readi­
er availability of the plans and the tax advan­
tages of IRA’s, which were introduced into the
tax code in 1981. Expenditures for tax-def­
erred saving plans increased from an average
of $14 in 1980 to $211 in 1990 for households
aged 65 to 74. The percent of consumer units in
this age group reporting IRA and Keogh fund
expenditures rose from 3 percent to 12 percent
over the same period.

Table 5.

Itemized expenditure shares for the older population, by age group, from the
Consumer Expenditure Interview Survey, 1980 and 1990

Share of total
expenditures by item

1990

t-share,
1990
versus
1980

1980

1990

Age group
65 to 74
1980

t-share,
1990
versus
1980

Age group
75 and over

Food at home...............
Food away from hom e.
Housing.........................
Apparel and services....
Transportation..............
Health care...................
Entertainment..............

17.5
4.5
30.0
4.2
18.4
8.4
3.0

13.9
4.4
30.0
3.7
17.0
10.0
4.3

*—4.09
- .2 9
.18
-1.41
-1.02
*3.06
*3.30

16.8
3.6
37.3
2.7
11.5
12.8
1.8

13.7
3.6
34.5
2.9
14.0
14.0
2.6

Reading..................................................
Social Security contribution,pensions
Life insurance.......................................
Other......................................................

.8
1.7
1.4
10.2

.8
3.6
1.7
10.3

-.8 8
*3.94
1.22
.49

.8
.8
.9
11.0

.7
.9
.9
12.2

N ote:

'—

2.10
.08
-.8 3
.37

1.10
.87
*2 .3 4
-.5 2
.32
-.1 9
1.81

Asterisk denotes significance at the 95-percent confidence level.

T able 6.

Entertainment and travel expenditures for the older population, by age,
Consumer Expenditure Survey, 1980 and 1990
1990,
Persons aged—

1980,
Persons aged—
Item

Entertainment, total..................................................
Fees and admissions.............................................
TV's, radios, and sound equipment......................

65 to 74

75 and older

65 to 74

75 and older

$340
130
116
94

$168
57
75
36

$874
330
316
229

$393
153
160
79

417
114
89
214
93
78
14
29

235
58
62
115
34
61
5
15

854
245
253
356
100
175
19
52

435
120
131
202
42
107
15
38

’ Includes pets, toys, playgrounds, boats, and photographic equipment and supplies.


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Monthly Labor Review May 1993

9

Spending by Older Consumers
Table 7.

Income of older households from the Consumer Expenditure Interview
Survey, 1980 and 1990
1980,
Persons aged—

1990,
Persons aged—

Type of income
65 and
older
Income before taxes......................
Type of income:
Wages and salaries..........................
Self-employment income..................
Social Security, railroad
retirement income..........................
Pensions and annuities....................
Interest and dividends......................
Other income.....................................
Percent of pretax income:
Wages and salaries..........................
Self-employment income..................
Social Security, railroad
retirement income..........................
Pensions and annuities....................
Interest and dividends......................
Other income.....................................

65 to
74

65 to
74

75 and
older

$10,150

$ 8,629

$18,842

$21,501

$15,465

1,812
469

2,317
586

880
253

3,552
640

5,439
973

1,133
215

4,115
1,341
1,484
394

4,180
1,482
1,181
403

3,996
1,080
2,042
379

8,296
3,354
2,539
462

8,216
3,960
2,400
515

8,398
2,578
2,716
394

18.8
4.9

22.8
5.8

10.2
2.9

18.9
3.4

25.3
4.5

7.3
1.4

42.8
13.9
15.4
4.1

41.2
14.6
11.6
4.0

46.3
12.5
23.7
4.4

44.0
17.8
13.5
2.5

38.2
18.4
11.2
2.4

54.3
16.7
17.6
2.6

Travel. Travel expenditures more than
doubled between 1980 and 1990 for the youn­
ger group and for older households. In part,
rising expenditures for both groups indicate
that they are doing more traveling, at least in
part because of cheaper airfares resulting from
the deregulation of the airline industry, and
cheaper gasoline. The components included in
travel expenditures are food, lodging, trans­
portation, and entertainment expenditures for
out-of-town trips.12 Table 6 shows the 1980
and 1990 travel expenditure levels and shares
separately for the younger and older house­
holds. For both groups and in all categories
(food, lodging, transportation, and entertain­
ment), there were increased expenditures and
greater numbers of consumer units reporting
expenditures.
Food expenditures while on out-of-town
trips increased at a slightly faster rate than did
total trip expenditures for both groups. As a
share of the total spent for food away from
home, food on trips was up slightly for both


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65 and
older

$9,615

twice as many of the older ones reported this
type of expenditure in 1990 than was the case
in 1980. These increases follow a national
trend reflecting the proliferation of home en­
tertainment centers and other sources of
home-based entertainment, and the rising cost
of cable services.

10 Monthly Labor Review May 1993

75 and
older

groups.13 Explaining much of this rise is the 5to 6-percentage-point increase in the propor­
tion of consumer units in both groups report­
ing such expenditures, the share of the younger
growing from 26 percent to 31 percent, and
that of the older, from 13 percent to 19 percent.
Lodging expenditures while out of town
rose as well, although as a share of the total
travel budget, they grew more for the younger
group (21 percent in 1980 to 30 percent in
1990) than for older households (26 percent to
29 percent). These increases can be attributed
to growth in the percent of consumer units in
these age groups reporting lodging while out of
town—an increase from 13 percent in 1980 to
18 percent in 1990 for the younger group, and
from 6 to 10 percent for the older group.
Over the same period, transportation expen­
ditures for travel rose 66 percent for the youn­
ger group and 76 percent for older consumer
units. The subcomponents of transportation
expenditures on trips include travel fares, ve­
hicle rental, and gasoline purchases. As indi­
cated earlier, travel by air was stimulated dur­
ing the 1980’s by special fares and induce­
ments introduced by airlines following Federal
deregulation of that industry in 1978. Average
expenditures on airline fares rose 68 percent
for all consumer units, with the age 65-to-74
group showing the largest increase —124 per­
cent. The older group’s airfare expenditures

were up 75 percent. Explaining much of this
rise in average expenditure is the fact that more
older people (those 65 and older) are traveling
via airplane. Both the younger and older
groups reported similar increases in percent
reporting airline expenditures. In 1980, 5 per­
cent of the younger group and 4 percent of the
older group reported such expenditures, but by
1990, these figures were 8 percent and 5 per­
cent, respectively.
Over the same period, the level of gasoline
expenditures on trips remained about the
same, in part due to falling oil prices. The
growth in the percent of consumer units re­
porting gasoline expenditures on trips is evi­
dence of a general increase in travel by car.
Over the period 1980-90, the percent of house­
holds reporting gasoline expenditures for trips
increased 2 percentage points for both the
younger and older groups (27 percent to 29
percent for the former, and 14 percent to 16
percent for the latter).
Income
Changes in expenditures often reflect changes
in income. The average income for households
with reference persons aged 65 or older
doubled during the 1980’s. But this figure
masks the diversity of income patterns that ex­
ists within the older population. The hetero­
geneity of the group becomes particularly ap­
parent when one looks at income sources, lev­
els, shares, and poverty rates. The younger
group’s income rose faster, increasing 112 per­
cent (in 1990 dollars), versus 79 percent for the
older group. (See table 7.) In 1980, the younger
group’s average income was 18 percent higher
than that of the older group, but by 1990, the
younger group’s income was 39 percent high­
er. The larger increase in income among the
younger households is accounted for by the
fact that their lifetime earnings and contribu­
tions to Social Security and government or pri­
vate pensions are greater than those of their
older counterparts.14
Social Security remained a less important
source of income for the younger group than
for the older group over the study period. As a
proportion of total income, Social Security in­
come decreased for the younger group (41 to 38
percent), and increased for the older group (46
to 54 percent) between 1980 and 1990. Howev­
er, the current-dollar level of Social Security


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income increased 96 percent for the younger
group and 110 percent for older households, a
substantial rise for both groups, and well above
the 58-percent increase in the Consumer Price
Index. And, more consumer units from each
group reported receiving Social Security in­
come: for the younger group, the percent re­
porting such income rose from 90 percent in
1980 to 94 percent in 1990, while that for older
households was up from 93 percent to 97 per­
cent. This increase could be accounted for by
the long-term trend toward earlier retirement,
which continued throughout the 1980’s for
men. Civilian labor force participation rates
fell from 19 percent in 198015 to 16 percent in
199016 for men aged 65 and older.
Wages and salaries remain the second larg­
est source of income for those aged 65 to 74.
Wages and salaries more than doubled for the
younger group over the 1980-90 timespan,
while increasing almost one-third for the older
group and a little over two-thirds for all other
age groups. For the younger group of persons
65 and older, the proportion of income derived
from wages and salaries rose from just under
23 percent in 1980 to slightly over 25 percent
in 1990, while the corresponding ratio for the
older group decreased from 10 percent to 7
percent. The changes can be accounted for by
trends in the number of earners per consumer
unit, specifically, an increase in the number of
earners per household in the younger group,
from 0.5 to 0.6, compared with a decrease of
0.3 to 0.2 earners for older households. Addi­
tionally, while civilian labor force participa­
tion rates fell for older men, those for older
women actually rose. The rate of increase in la­
bor force participation among women aged 65
to 74 could account for the rise in the average
number of earners per consumer unit in the
younger group.17
For the older group, a higher percentage of
whom are retired, private pensions and annui­
ties remain the second largest source of income.
However, pensions and annuities were a more
important source of income for both age groups
in 1990 than in 1980. Such income rose 167 per­
cent for the younger group and 139 percent for
the older group over the study period. As a pro­
portion of total income, pensions and annuities
grew from 15 percent in 1980 to 18 percent in
1990 for the younger group, and from 13 per­
cent to nearly 17 percent for older households.
Explaining much of this pattern of rise is an

Monthly Labor Review May 1993

11

Spending by Older Consumers
increase in the percent of consumer units
reporting pensions and annuities: the percent
doing so increased faster for the younger con­
sumer units than for the older ones. The share
of the younger group reporting such income
grew from 35 percent in 1980 to 47 percent in
1990, while the corresponding measure for the
older group rose from 29 percent to 40 percent.
This phenomenon reflects the increased avail­
ability of private retirement funds and tax ad­
vantages of certain types of funds, from which
the younger group have had more opportunity
to benefit than have the older group.
Income from interest and dividends fol­
lowed a pattern that differed from that of pen­
sions and annuities. The level of income
derived from interest and dividends doubled
for the younger group, and increased by onethird for the older group over the period
1980-90. However, the share of total income
derived from interest and dividends fell from
12 to 11 percent for the younger group and
from 24 to 18 percent for older households.
The percent of consumer units reporting such
income also declined—from 47 to 45 percent
for the younger group and from 45 to 43 per­
cent for the older group.
As with income, there are large differences
in poverty rates between the age groups. For
those aged 65 and older, the poverty rate fell
from 16 percent in 1980 to 11 percent in 1990.
The following tabulation shows poverty rates
of older persons in 1990 by age:18
P e r c e n t in p o v e r ty
A ge

1980

Under 65 y e a r s...........................
12.3
65 years and older ..................... 15.4
65 to 74 y e a r s......................... 13.1
75 years and older ............. 20.1

1990

13.0
12.2
9.7
16.0

The dramatic differences in poverty rates
among the groups is partially accounted for by
factors such as number and sex of earners in
the household. Older groups are characterized
by fewer earners and more women. Both men
and women have longer life expectancies than
they did in 1980, part of a long-term trend ex­
plained by improvements in medicine and
technology. At 65 years, the average life expec­
tancy was 16.4 years in 1980 and 17.2 years in
1990. But women still outlive men. At age 65, a
woman’s average life expectancy exceeds a
man’s by 4 years. Women over the age of 65,
who grew up during an era in which fewer
women worked outside the home, are less like­
12 Monthly Labor Review May 1993

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ly to have access to pension and Social Security
income in their own names. However, with the
increase in the number of women who have en­
tered the labor force over the last 20 years, it is
more likely that women over 65 will be entitled
to their own pension and Social Security in­
come in the future.
THESE FINDINGS tend to support assertions of
other analysts that we are seeing a “golden age
of the golden years,”19in that persons aged 65
years and older have higher expenditures and
income than they did 10 years ago. Over the
1980’s, the two older groups studied here more
or less followed the same trends in terms of
home and vehicle ownership and health, pen­
sion, and travel expenditures. The continuing
availability of data from the Consumer Expen­
diture Survey will allow analysts to follow the
economic activities of the growing cohorts of
older persons in the future.
□

Footnotes
1 Gregory Spencer, P r o je c tio n s o f P o p u la tio n o f U . S . , b y
S e x , A g e , a n d R a c e 1 9 8 0 to 2 0 8 0 , C u r re n t P o p u la tio n R e ­
p o r ts , Series P-25, No. 1018 (Bureau of the Census, Janu­
ary 1989).
2 Cynthia Taeuber, S i x t y - f i v e P lu s in A m e r ic a , C u r re n t
P o p u la tio n R e p o r ts , Special Studies P23-178 (Bureau of
the Census, 1992).
3 I b id .
4 I b id . The population aged 75 to 84 grew by 30 percent.
The cohort aged 80 and older grew by 33 percent.
5 Beth Harrison, “Spending patterns of older persons re­
vealed in expenditure survey,” M o n th ly L a b o r R e v ie w ,
October 1986, pp. 15-17.
6 A consumer unit is either (1) all members of a house­
hold who are related by blood, marriage, adoption, or oth­
er legal arrangements; (2) two or more persons living pH
gether who pool their income to make joint expenditure de­
cisions; or (3) a person living alone or sharing a household
with others, or living as a roomer in a private home or lodg­
ing house or in permanent living quarters in a hotel or mo­
tel, but who is financially independent. A person is consid­
ered financially independent if he or she provides the in­
come for at least two of the three major living expenses—
food, clothing, and shelter. The terms consumer unit and
household are used interchangeably throughout this ar­
ticle.
7 Louise B. Russell, T h e B a b y B o o m G e n e r a tio n a n d th e
E c o n o m y (Washington, The Brookings Institution, 1982),
p. 13.
8 E c o n o m ic R e p o r t o f th e P r e s id e n t (Government Print­
ing Office, 1992), table B-69.
9 The health care component of expenditures was un­
usually large for households headed by persons 75 and old­
er in 1980 due to a few large medical service expenditures.
Average medical service expenditures for those 75 and old­
er were $487 in 1981 and $447 in 1982. Therefore, medical
services in 1980 were a larger portion of total expenditures
than one might expect, but still a larger portion than health
insurance. In 1981, total health care expenditures for those
75 and older was $1,037; health insurance was $388; 47

percent of total health care expenditures went to medical
services, and 32 percent to health insurance.
10 S o c ia l S e c u r ity B u lle tin , A n n u a l S ta tis tic a l S u p p le ­
m e n t, 1 9 9 1 .

11 These estimates are presented at a quarterly rate —
that is, they are the percent of consumer units reporting
this type of expenditure in a 3-month period.
12 See Geoffrey Paulin, “Consumer expenditures on
travel, 1980-87,” M o n th ly L a b o r R e v ie w , June 1990, pp.
56-60, for more information on travel expenditures.
13 Food away from home includes meals at restaurants,
board, catered affairs, school lunches, and meals as pay.
14 Michael Hurd, “The Economic Status of the Elder­
ly,” S c ie n c e , vol. 244, 1989, p. 659.
15 H a n d b o o k o f L a b o r S ta tis tic s , Bulletin 2340 (Bureau
of Labor Statistics, August 1989), pp. 25-27.
16 E m p lo y m e n t a n d E a r n in g s , January 1991, p. 164.
17 See Murray Gendell and Jacob S. Siegel, “Trends in
retirement age by sex, 1950-2005,” M o n th ly L a b o r R e v ie w ,


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July 1992, p. 22, for a more detailed discussion of these
findings. Among other trends, Gendell and Siegel found
that participation rates for men aged 65 to 69 fell from 28.5
percent in 1980 to 26 percent in 1990; those for women of
comparable age rose from 15.1 percent to 17.0 percent.
Among persons aged 70 to 74, men’s rates dropped from
17.9 percent to 15.4 percent, while women of the same co­
hort increased participation rates from 7.5 percent to 15.4
percent. Men aged 75 and older decreased their participa­
tion rates from 8.8 to 7.1 percent, while their female coun­
terparts increased theirs, from 2.5 to 2.7 percent.
18 Data are from the Bureau of the Census. See “Single
Years of A ge—Poverty Status in 1990,” March 1991, table
23; and “Single Years of A g e—All Persons and Related
Children Under 18 by Low-Income Status,” March 1981,
table S—1. Unpublished data.
19 See Mark Weinstein, “The Changing Picture in Retir­
ee Economics,” S ta tis tic a l B u lle tin (Metropolitan Life In­
surance), July-September 1988, p. 7.

A note on communications
The Monthly Labor Review welcomes communications that supplement,
challenge, or expand on research published in its pages. To be considered
for publication, communications should be factual and analytical, not
polemical in tone. Communications should be addressed to the Editor-inChief, Monthly Labor Review, Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department
of Labor, Washington, DC 20212.

Monthly Labor Review May 1993

13

Cost of employee compensation
in public and private sectors
Much of the variation in the cost
of compensation in the two sectors is due
to differences in the occupational mix
and types of compensation packages provided

Bradley R. Braden
and
Stephanie L. Hyland

Bradley R. Braden and
Stephanie L. Hyland are
economists in the Office
of Compensation and
Working Conditions,
Bureau of Labor
Statistics.

t first glance, compensation costs be­ was in benefits. Straight-time wages and
tween State and local governments salaries were $16.39 per hour worked in
and private industry appear vastly dif­ government, and $11.58 in private industry;
ferent. In March 1992, employer costs for em­ benefit costs averaged $7.09 per hour worked
ployee compensation (wages paid plus em­ in government and $4.55 in private industry.
ployer-provided benefits) averaged $23.49 per
The difference in the costs of employer-paid
hour worked in State and local governments benefits between government and private
and $16.14 in private industry—a difference of industry primarily reflects differences in the
almost 50 percent. (See table 1.) Such a com­ nature of compensation packages provided to
parison can be quite misleading, however, as employees in each sector. The availability and
was noted when these data were first released characteristics of benefits such as paid leave,
in June 1992.1 In fact, the differences in the retirement, and certain insurances vary consid­
cost of compensation in the public and private erably in the two sectors. For example,
sectors stem from a number of factors, particu­ virtually all government employees were cov­
larly the large variation in the work activities ered by a retirement plan, while fewer than
and occupational structures of the two sectors. two-thirds of the employees in the private
For example, certain activities that are sector had such coverage.
required in government, such as public educa­
This article highlights differences in the
tion and safety, call for a large proportion of industry and occupational mix that influence
white-collar professionals and highly skilled average compensation costs in private industry
service occupations. In contrast, certain indus­ and State and local governments, and provides
tries such as manufacturing, wholesale trade, data on the hourly cost of compensation for
and retail trade, are unique to the private specific groups of workers in each sector.2 In
sector, and require occupations with compara­ addition, differences in the cost of benefits are
tively lower compensation costs, such as sales. examined, using data on the incidence and
When certain industries common to both provisions of major benefits in the two sectors.
sectors are examined, such as health services,
Compensation costs are based on data from
total compensation costs are similar.
the Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment
About two-thirds of the overall gap in total Cost Index (ECI), which measures quarterly
compensation between public and private changes in employer costs for employee
sectors was in the wage component; one-third compensation.3Data from the ECI are also used

A

14 Monthly Lahor Review May 1993

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to produce measures of employer cost per hour
worked for each component of compensation.4
Compensation costs, representing data for
March of each year, were first published for
State and local governments in 1991, while
private industry data have been available since
1987.5
Data on the incidence and provisions of
employee benefits are based on the BLS
Employee Benefits Survey.6 The Employee
Benefits Survey includes detailed information
on the characteristics of employee benefits
including paid leave, medical care plans, life
and disability insurance, and retirement plans.
With few exceptions, the Employee Benefits
Survey is limited to benefits financed at least in
part by employers.

Costs by industry activity

Much of the difference in average compensa­
tion costs between State and local governments
and private industry can be explained by
differences in the mix of industry activities in
the two sectors. The activities that occur solely
in one sector generally result in a higher aver­
age cost of compensation for government and a
lower average cost for private industry.
For example, more than one-fourth of the
government work force was engaged in public
administration, which averaged $20.76 in
hourly compensation.7 (See table 2.) Among
other activities, public administration includes
protective services (police and fire protection),
State and local legislative bodies, executive
offices, administrative offices, and courts. The
work force required to perform these activities
includes a large proportion of white-collar and
skilled service occupations that had compara­
tively high compensation costs.
In addition, government is the primary pro­
vider of educational services. More than half of
all State and local government employees were
engaged in educational activities, compared
with 2 percent of private sector workers. The
average cost of compensation was $26.55 per
hour worked for the mostly white-collar work­
ers in government educational services.8
In contrast, compensation costs for many
activities that take place only in the private
sector, such as in manufacturing, wholesale
trade, retail trade, and finance, insurance, and
real estate, had compensation costs less than
$20 per hour. (See table 3.) Combined, these
activities accounted for more than half of


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Table 1.

Employer costs per hour worked for employee
compensation, State and local government and
private Industry, March 1992
State and local governments

Private Industry
Series
Cost

Percent

Cost

Percent

Total compensation.......
Wages and salaries....
Total benefits...............
Paid leave.................
Vacations................
Holidays..................
Sick leave...............
Other leave.............

$16.14
11.58
4.55
1.09
.54
.37
.14
.05

100.0
71.8
28.2
6.8
3.3
2.3
.9
.3

$23.49
16.3
7.09
1.80
.60
.58
.47
.15

100.0
69.8
30.2
7.7
2.6
2.5
2.0
.7

Supplemental pay....
Premium pa y..........
Shift pay...................
Nonproduction
bonuses................

.39
.18
.05

2.4
1.1
.3

.21
.10
.04

.9

.15

1.0

.07

.3

Insurance...................
Life...........................
Health......................
Sickness and accident.

1.12
.05
1.02
.05

6.9
.3
6.3
.3

1.84
.05
1.75
.04

7.8
.2
7.4
.2

Retirement and savings
Pensions.................
Savings and thrift....

.46
.36
.10

2.9
2.3
.6

1.82
1.81

7.8
7.7

(1)

(1)

Legally required2.......
Social Security........
Federal unemployment
State unemployment
Workers compensation

1.47
.96
.03
.10
.36

9.1
6.0

1.40
1.07

6.0
4.6

.2
.6
2.2

.04
.28

(1)

(1)
.1

1.2

Other benefits3.........

.02

.1

.02

.1

.4
.2

1Cost per hour worked is $0.01 or less.
2 Includes railroad retirement and supplemental railroad retirement, railroad unemploy­
ment insurance, and other legally required benefits in addition to those shown separately.
includes serverance pay and supplemental unemployment benefits.

private industry employment. Retail trade
activities, for example, employed more than
one-fifth of the private sector work force, and
averaged $9.07 per hour in total compensation.
Retail trade activities employed a large propor­
tion of salesworkers and service workers,
whose compensation is less than that of the
largely white-collar workers in State and local
governments.
Compensation costs were similar for indus­
try activities common to government and the
private sector. For example, construction,
transportation and public utilities, and health
services are found in both sectors. As shown in
the following tabulation, government and
private sector compensation costs were similar
for these activities. Compensation costs for
private sector transportation and public utili­
ties workers were essentially identical to their
government counterparts:
Monthly Labor Review May 1993

15

Cost of Employee Compensation
Table 2.

Employer costs per hour worked for employee compensation by occupational and industry group,
State and local government and private industry, March 1992
Benefit costs
Total
compen­
sation

Wages
and
salaries

Total

State and local government......

$23.49

$16.39

$7.09

$1.80

$0.21

$1.84

$1.82

$1.40

$0.02

Occupational group:
White-collar occupations..............
Professional spedaty and technical...
Teachers......................................

25.55
31.50
34.42

18.99
23.10
25.74

7.56
8.40
8.68

1.90
1.87
1.65

.14
.16
.08

1.96
2.14
2.31

2.03
2.48
2.82

1.50
1.71
1.78

03
.04
.04

29.86

20.84

9.02

2.98

.14

1.81

2.31

1.76

.02

15.03

9.90

5.13

1.41

.09

1.68

.99

.95

i2)

18.06
16.52

11.69
10.54

6.38
5.99

1.67
1.53

.34
.36

1.70
1.53

1.26
1.46

1.39
1.09

.02
.02

Series

Executive, administrative, and
managerial.................................
Administrative support
including clerical......................
Blue-collar occupations................
Service occupations......................

Supple­
mental
pay

insurance

Retirement
and
savings

Legally
required
benefits

Other
benefits1

Industry group:
Services......................................
Health services.........................
Hospitals...................................
Educational services...................
Elementary and
secondary education.............
Higher education.......................
Public administration...................

24.92
18.42
18.80
26.55

17.85
12.45
12.77
19.25

7.06
5.98
6.02
7.30

1.68
1.90
1.94
1.63

.15
.49
.48
.09

1.92
1.32
1.31
2.04

1.90
.98
.98
2.09

1.40
1.27
1.29
1.43

.03
.02
.02
.03

26.73
26.95
20.76

19.38
19.59
13.69

7.35
7.36
7.07

1.53
1.91
2.03

.08
.12
.28

2.14
1.82
1.64

2.16
1.96
1.77

1.41
1.54
1.32

.04
.02

Private Industry...........................

16.14

11.58

4.55

1.09

.39

1.12

.46

1.47

.02

18.95
25.20

13.90
18.45

5.05
6.75

1.43
2.03

.37
.52

1.23
1.51

.53
.73

1.47
1.93

02
.02

29.42
13.26

21.62
10.24

7.81
3.03

2.56
.66

.60
.23

1.59
.72

.94
.27

2.08
1.14

.03

13.69

9.74

3.95

1.01

.26

1.20

.38

1.09

P)

15.88

10.74

5.13

.94

.56

1.29

.53

1.77

.04

20.30

13.86

6.44

1.26

.67

1.53

.73

2.21

.04

14.98
16.15

9.79
10.87

5.19
5.28

.99
.92

.68

.51

1.46
1.22

.47
.57

1.53
2.04

07
.02

11.41

7.95

3.46

.54

.34

.87

.33

1.36

(2)

Service occupations......................

8.43

6.38

2.05

.39

.12

.45

.14

.94

P)

Industry group:
Goods-producing industries3........
Construction...................................
Manufacturing Industries..............
Durables........................
Nondurables.............................

19.38
18.91
19.20
20.77
17.10

13.17
13.34
12.93
13.77
11.82

6.21
5.56
6.26
7.00
5.28

1.33
.62
1.47
1.64
1.24

.64
.50
.67
.79
.51

1.60
1.10
1.70
1.95
1.37

.70
.81
.65
.73
.56

1.89
2.54
1.71
1.80
1.58

05

Service producing Industries4 ......
Transportation and public utilities.....
Wholesale trade.....................
Retail trade...................................
Finance, insurance, and real estate..
Services................................

14.99
22.91
17.67
9.07
19.95
15.59

11.02
5.72
12.70
7.00
14.58
11.56

3.97
7.19
4.97
2.07
5.38
4.03

1.01
1.87
1.15
.38
1.57
1.09

.30
.50
.48
.17
.31
.30

.95
1.81
1.29
.44
1.48
.90

.38
.83
.44
.12
.65
.38

1.33
2.15
1.59
.95
1.35
1.35

Occupational group:
White-collar occupations.............
Professional spedaty and technical ..
Executive, administrative,
managerial ..............................
Sales workers.............................
Administrative support
including clerical.....................
Blue-collar occupations................
Precision production,
craft, and rep a ir......................
Machine operators, assemblers,
and inspectors.........................
Transportation and material moving...
Handlers, equipment cleaners,
helpers, and laborers............

'Includes severance pay and supplemental unemployment benefits.
2Cost per hour worked is $0.01 or less.
aincludes mining, construction, and manufacturing.

16

Paid
leave

Monthly Labor Review May 1993


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(2)

P)

P)

.06
.09
.02

P)

03
.02

P)

.02

P)

includes transportation, communications, and public utilities; wholesale
and retail trade: finance, insurance, and real estate; and service Industries.

T o ta l c o m p e n s a tio n

P r iv a te

Construction..................... . . . $18.91
Transportation and
public utilities.............. . . .
22.91
Health services............... . . .
16.77

G overnm ent

$16.89
22.95
18.42

P e r c e n t o f to ta l e m p lo y m e n t
P r iv a te

Construction...............................
Transportation and
public u tilities........................
Health services...............................

G overnm ent

5

3

7
10

5
8

The overwhelming concentration of public
employment in educational services and public
administration demonstrates the role of State
and local governments as unique providers of
particular services. These activities raised the
average cost of compensation for State and
local governments. Compensation costs were
generally equivalent when certain activities
common to government and private industry
were examined.

vice workers, who as a group had compensa­
tion costs that were 96 percent higher in gov­
ernment than in private industry.
The disparities in compensation costs be­
tween workers in the same broad occupations
in the public and private sectors reflect the dif­
ferences in the composition of jobs making up
those broad occupational groups. Professional
and technical employees represented more
than half of the government white-collar work
force, compared with less than one-fourth of
the private sector work force. In contrast, more
than one-fifth of the private sector white-collar
employees were sales workers, a job seldom
found in government. The following tabulation
shows the percent of private and government
workers in selected occupational groups:
P r iv a te

All white-collar occupations----- 100
Professional and technical . . . . 24
Executive, administrative
and managerial......................... 17
Sales .............................................. 22
Administrative support
including clerical....................... 37

G overn m en t

100
56
15
*
28

*Less than 1 percent.

Costs by occupation
The differences in the industry mix between the
public and the private sectors also lead to
differences in the occupational composition of
their work forces. The following shows the mix
of occupations and their costs of compensation
in the two sectors.
T o ta l c o m p e n s a tio n
P r iv a te G o v e r n m e n t

White c o lla r ..................................... $18.95
Blue collar........................................ 15.88
Service ............................................
8.43

$26.55
18.06
16.52

P e r c e n t o f w o rk ers
P r iv a te

White c o lla r ......................................
Blue c o lla r ........................................
Service ...............................................

51
32
17

G overn m en t

68
12
20

Government compensation costs were high­
er for each of the major occupational groups
than costs in the private sector. Compensation
for white-collar workers was 40 percent higher
in government than in private industry, while
the difference for blue-collar workers was 14
percent. The largest cost difference was for ser­


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The difference in the cost of compensation
for service occupations is due largely to the mix
of service jobs. For example, police and
firefighters accounted for 1 of 4 service workers
in State and local governments, but were
essentially nonexistent in the private sector.
Because of the hazardous nature of such jobs
and the skills required to perform them, these
public safety occupations cost government
employers more than $20 per hour worked.9
Conversely, the private sector work force
includes a large proportion of comparatively
low compensated service occupations not
readily found in government. For example,
wages for waiters and waitresses and food
preparation workers in eating and drinking
establishments were often at, or below, the
Federal minimum wage. In addition to wages,
tips are frequently paid to employees in these
industries; however, the Employment Cost
Index excludes tips from the calculation of
average hourly compensation because they are
not part of the employer-paid compensation
package.10
Differences in compensation costs between
government and private industry were small
for white-collar occupations that are more
Monthly Labor Review May 1993

17

Cost of Employee Compensation
Table 3.

Average weekly earnings of selected occupations in selected metropolitan areas, State and local
governments and private industry, 1991
Dallas
December 1991

Occupation
Private
Industry

Denver
November 1991

Detroit
December 1991

State
and local
govern­
ment

Private
Industry

State and
local
govern­
ment

Private
Industry

State and
local
govern­
ment

Los Angeles
December 1991
Private
Industry

Nassau/Suffolk
November 1991

State and
State and
local
local
Private
govern­ Industry govern­
ment
ment

Accounting clerk III1........................

$410

$368

$404

$431

$431

$474

$451

$502

$436

$525

Secretary MR....................................

483

433

469

485

545

536

554

658

487

533

Accountant III3 ................................

716

670

732

679

759

686

745

795

723

849

Engineer IV4 ....................................

992

968

1,057

942

1,025

884

1,040

1,092

1,013

1,172

Attorney III5......................................

1,298

1,087

1,111

1 ,145

1,181

1,151

1,450

1,460

1,127

1,237

’Accounting clerks, Level III, use a knowledge of double-entry bookkeep­
ing to perform a variety of routine accounting tasks. Completed work and
methods are reviewed for technical accuracy.
Secretaries, Level III, handle differing responsibilities, situations and
problems with minimal supervisory guidance, working in a complex organiza­
tional structure.
Accountants, Level III, are responsible for day-to-day operations of a sta­
ble and well-established system, or an assigned segment of such a system.

Table 4.

«Engineers, Level IV, are fully competent In all conventional aspects of
their subject matter, and perform most assignments independently.
Attorneys, Level III, perform difficult legal work of substantial importance
to the organization independently, with only decisions having an important
bearing on the organization reviewed.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Compensation
Survey Program.

Percent of full-time employees receiving benefits, and average number of days of vacation and sick
leave, by length of service, State and local governments and private industry, 1990-91
Private Industry
Benefit Item
All employees

State and local governments

White-collar
employees

Blue-collar
employees

All employees

All employees
except teachers

Teachers

Holidays..........................................
Vacation.........................................
Sick leave.......................................

88
92
56

93
95
74

82
89
38

74
67
94

89
88
94

33
10
97

Medical care...................................
Life insurance................................
Long term disability.......................
Sickness and accident
insurance......................................

76
79
29

80
85
42

71
72
16

93
88
27

93
88
26

91
87
32

35

29

41

21

23

16

Retirement......................................
Defined benefit............................
Defined contribution....................

60
39
39

64
40
46

55
38
31

96
90
9

95
89
9

99
94
11

Number of holidays (days)...........

9

10

9

14

14

13

Days of vacation after:
1 year...........................................
3 years..........................................
5 years..........................................
10 years........................................
15 years........................................
20 years........................................

8.5
10.5
12.5
15.1
16.6
17.8

9.6
11.2
13.4
16.0
17.6
18.6

7.2
9.7
11.4
14.0
15.6
16.8

12.2
13.4
15.3
18.4
20.4
22.1

12.2
13.4
15.3
18.5
20.5
22.3

12.7
13.3
14.1
15.6
16.8
17.9

Days of sick leave after:
1 y e ar...........................................
3 years..........................................
5 years..........................................
10 years........................................

10.6
13.1
15.5
18.5

11.6
14.8
17.6
21.3

8.7
9.9
11.3
12.9

12.6
12.8
13.1
13.5

12.8
13.0
13.2
3.6

12.2
12.4
12.9
13.1

Note:

18

Computation of average excluded workers with no holidays or vacation days.

Monthly Labor Review May 1993


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closely related in both sectors. For example,
executive, administrative, and managerial
occupations accounted for about 1 of 6
white-collar employees in each sector, and
their average hourly compensation costs were
virtually identical.
However, broad comparisons between gov­
ernment and private employee compensation
may conceal distinct differences. For example,
employer costs between the public and private
sectors show some variability when particular
white-collar occupations in specific locations
are compared. Data from the BLS Occupational
Compensation Surveys Program provide
average weekly wage data in selected
metropolitan areas for specific occupations
with similar duties and responsibilities. The
results indicate that higher wages differ by
occupation and location.
For example, secretaries, level III (secre­
taries to mid-level managers), earned approxi­
mately 10 percent less than their private sector
counterparts in Dallas, but nearly 20 percent
more in Los Angeles. In Detroit, level III
government accounting clerks (who perform
double-entry bookkeeping) averaged 10 per­
cent more than similar private sector workers,
while level III government accountants (who
supervise stable and established accounting
systems) averaged 10 percent less than in the
private sector.11(See table 3.)
Employee benefits
More than one-third of the gap in total
compensation between State and local govern­
ments and private industry was due to differ­
ences in the costs for employee benefits.
Government costs for providing employee
benefits were, on average, 56 percent higher
than those of private employers. While govern­
ments spent an average of $7.09 per hour
worked on benefits, private industry employers
spent $4.55. (See table 1.)
Three primary factors influence benefit
costs and contributed to the gap between gov­
ernment and private industry. First, some
benefits are linked to earnings (for example,
pension plans and paid leave); as a result, costs
for these benefits are affected by the higher av­
erage wage levels for government occupations.
Second, employee benefits generally are more
common in State and local government estab­
lishments than in the private sector. Finally,


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differences in the provisions of benefit plans
contributed to differences in benefits costs.
A few cautionary notes are in order. It is
important to emphasize that estimates of
employer costs for particular benefits are not
sound measures of employee welfare. For
example, although a defined benefit retirement
plan may be costlier to employers than a
defined contribution plan, the benefit paid out
to employees at retirement for a defined
contribution plan may be the same or higher.
Second, the incidence of benefits varies widely
by establishment size in the private sector.
Small private establishments with fewer than
100 employees are far less likely to provide
certain types of benefits, such as retirement and
health insurance, than are larger private
establishments and State and local govern­
ments. Finally, due to limits in the data, we
cannot calculate the precise cost to employers
of specific benefit plan provisions.
The largest cost difference between State
and local governments and private industry
was for retirement benefits. At $1.82 per hour
worked, government retirement costs were
nearly four times higher than the 46-cent cost
in the private sector. Spending on retirement
accounted for 26 percent of all benefit costs in
government, compared with 10 percent in pri­
vate industry.
The cost difference for retirement benefits
reflects the incidence of benefits, the effects of
wage levels, and differences in benefit provi­
sions. Virtually all government employees (96
percent) were covered by a retirement plan,
compared with only three-fifths in the private
sector.12 (See table 4.) Furthermore, calcula­
tions of employee retirement benefits are usu­
ally based on employee wages; therefore, high­
er aggregate average wage levels among gov­
ernment workers tend to increase the costs for
government retirement benefits relative to the
private sector. Finally, government retirement
plans, as described below, tend to have differ­
ent provisions than plans in the private sector.
The majority of government workers, unlike
private industry workers, participated in de­
fined benefit pension plans, typically the most
expensive retirement plans in terms of employ­
er costs.13 And virtually all government pen­
sion plan participants had their benefits calcu­
lated using a terminal earnings formula, com­
pared with just under three-fifths of the private
sector pension plan participants. A terminal
earnings formula is usually a costlier formula
Monthly Labor Review May 1993

19

Cost of Employee Compensation
for employers because the benefit is based on a
percentage of an employee’s final average
earnings during the several years preceding re­
tirement, rather than a career average or a flat
dollar amount.
Pension plan provisions for government
employees tended to increase employer costs,
but government workers also were more likely
to contribute to their pension plans. Fewer than
10 percent of private sector pension partici­
pants were required to contribute, compared
with 75 percent of government pension partici­
pants.
Differences in the incidence and provisions
of benefits also affected government and
private sector insurance costs. Insurance
benefits include health, life, and disability
insurance. The average cost for these benefits
in government was $1.84 per hour worked,
while private sector employers paid $1.12. The
bulk of this cost, $1.75 for government and
$1.02 for private industry, was for health
insurance benefits.14
Similar to retirement benefits, health insur­
ance benefits were offered to a greater propor­
tion of employees in State and local govern­
ments than in private industry. Overall, about
93 percent of government employees partici­
pated in a health care plan; 76 percent of private
industry employees participated.
In addition to greater coverage, health care
plan provisions for government and private
establishments were different in other ways.
For example, the employer paid health care
coverage in full for 58 percent of the govern­
ment work force, while 40 percent of private
sector employees had such coverage. Family
health care coverage fully paid by the employer
also was more prevalent among public sector
employees —32 percent —than among em­
ployees in the private sector —24 percent. In
addition, a larger proportion of government
employees than private sector employees par­
ticipated in plans, including HMO’s (health
maintenance organizations), that fully covered
many expenses.
The average cost for paid leave benefits in
government, at $1.80, was 65 percent higher
than in the private sector, which was $1.09.
Because the costs of paid leave are related
directly to employee wages, higher average
rates of pay for government employees were
part of the cost difference between State and
20

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local governments and private industry. In
addition, differences in the incidence and
provisions of certain leave plans, which varied
widely among occupational groups, also
affected employer costs in each sector.
The smallest difference between average
costs of paid leave was among white-collar
workers. The cost of paid leave for white-collar
government employees was one-third more
than the average for white-collar private
employees, reflecting the higher average gov­
ernment wage rates. One exception was paid
leave for government white-collar profession­
al, specialty, and technical workers; the paid
leave cost for these employees was 9 percent
below that for similarly classified occupations
in the private sector.
This inconsistency was due in large part to
the relatively low incidence of paid holidays
and vacations for teachers in State and local
governments (33 percent of State teachers and
10 percent of local teachers had such benefits).
Teachers account for more than two-thirds of
the government professional, specialty and
technical work force, and are typically paid
based on a fixed number of annual school days.
In contrast to paid leave for white-collar
workers, differences in the average cost of paid
leave were greater between government and
private industry for blue-collar and service
occupations. For example, employer costs for
paid leave for government blue-collar workers
averaged $1.67 per hour worked in 1992,
compared with 94 cents for private sector
blue-collar workers. The comparatively large
disparity in the cost of paid leave for these
occupations reflected higher average wage
rates in government, in addition to differences
in the incidence of paid sick leave. More than 90
percent of all government blue-collar and
service workers were covered by sick leave. In
contrast, 38 percent of such private sector
workers were covered. Private sector blue-col­
lar workers frequently received sickness and
accident insurance that replaced a portion of
lost wages during short-term disabilities.
Differences in plan provisions also affected
the cost of paid leave. For example, govern­
ment employees with paid holidays generally
received more time off annually—13.6 paid
holidays—than private industry employees
who averaged 9.4 holidays. (See table 4.) For
employees receiving paid vacations, average

benefits for workers in the public sector ex­
ceeded those for private sector workers at all
lengths of service.
Employer compensation costs also include
benefits required by law, such as Social
Security, Federal and State unemployment
insurance, and workers’ compensation. Such
benefits cost governments $1.40 per hour
worked, and accounted for about one-fifth of
total benefit costs. The cost for private sector
employers was higher —$1.47 per hour
worked —and represented nearly one-third of
all private benefit costs.
Social Security, which is linked directly to
wage rates, represented the majority of the cost
for legally required benefits in both sectors.
However, government employers are not re­
quired to provide Social Security coverage to
all employees; approximately one of four
employees did not have such coverage. This
lower incidence of coverage among govern­
ment employees offsets their higher average
wage rates. The result is similar average costs
for Social Security for both sectors.
D
Footnotes
1 E m p lo y m e n t C o st I n d e x , J u n e 1 9 9 2 , USDL 92-471
(Bureau of Labor Statistics, July 1992).
2 The occupation describes what work an employee
does; the industry describes the economic activity of the
employer. For example, service employees work in a variety
of industries and perform a variety of duties, such as food
preparation, cleaning, and guard services. Service indus­
tries, in contrast, include establishments that hire em­
ployees from all occupational groups to provide a wide
variety of services (for example, health and education) to
individuals, businesses, and other entities.
3 The ECI is a fixed-weight Laspeyres index that uses
occupational and industry employment counts from the
1980 Census of Population. Data collected for the ECI is
used to derive hourly compensation costs by using current
weights. Industry employment from the March 1992
Current Employment Statistics survey, with the occupa­
tional distribution from the ECI sample, provide the
current weights.
4 For more details about how the ECI measures
compensation, see Felicia Nathan, “Analyzing employer’s
costs for wages, salaries, and benefits”, M o n th ly L a b o r
R e v ie w , October 1987, pp. 3-11, and the Handbook of
M e th o d s , Bulletin 2414 (Bureau of Labor Statistics,
September 1992), pp. 56-66.
5 The State and local government sample was updated
and expanded from 1987-1991, allowing publication of
compensation cost data. These data are published annually
in June with March as the reference month. See E m p lo y ­
m e n t C o st I n d e x a n d L e v e ls , 1 9 7 5 -1 9 9 2 , Bulletin 2389


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(Bureau of Labor Statistics, October 1992).
6 Private sector data are from the 1991 Employee Bene­
fits Survey of medium and large establishments and the
1990 survey of small establishments. Detailed data are
available from the following Bureau of Labor Statistics
publications: E m p lo y e e B e n e f its in S m a ll P r iv a te E s ta b lis h ­
m e n ts , 1 9 9 0 (Bulletin 2388, September 1991), E m p lo y e e
B e n e f its in S ta t e a n d L o c a l G o v e r n m e n ts , 1 9 9 0 (Bulletin
1398, February 1992), and E m p lo y e e B e n e f its in M e d iu m
a n d L a r g e E s ta b lis h m e n ts , 1 9 9 1 (Bulletin 2422, May
1993).
7 Throughout this article, references are made to the
mix of industry and occupational employment in State and
local government and private industry, and the effect of
these mixes on the average costs of hourly compensation.
These references relate to the employment weights, which
are estimated from the Current Employment Statistics and
the Employment Cost Index survey sample. See also foot­
note 3.
8 Teachers usually contract to work a set number of
days a year — generally between 180 and 210 — in a 9- or
10-month contract. The ECI uses the number of hours
worked per year by employees as the basis for determining
average hourly compensation costs. Therefore, hourly
costs for teachers do not reflect the usual 12-month work
year. Additionally, the incidence of leave, particularly
holidays and sick leave, is much lower for teachers than for
other occupational groups due to their work contracts.
9 The average cost of compensation for police and
firefighters was $22.28 in March 1991 — the last date the
police and firefighters series was published.
10 For an example of the extent of tips, see I n d u s tr y
W a g e S u rv e y : H o te ls a n d M o te ls , J u n e - J u ly , 1 9 8 8 , Bulletin
2335 (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 1989).
11 The Bureau’s Occupational Compensation Survey
Program gathers data on wage levels in a variety of local
labor markets for narrowly-defined occupations. For
example, see O c c u p a tio n a l C o m p e n s a tio n S u rv e y : P a y a n d
B e n e f its , Bulletin 3060-60 (Bureau of Labor Statistics, July
1992). The Occupational Compensation Surveys do not
provide data on employer costs for total employee
compensation, which includes employer costs for employee
benefits.
12 The data presented from the Employee Benefits Sur­
vey cover full-time employees only.
13 In the private sector, 39 percent of the employees
participated in defined benefit plans, while 39 percent
participated in defined contribution plans. Defined benefit
pension plans use predetermined formulas to calculate a
retirement benefit, and obligate the employer to provide
those benefits, regardless of investment results. Conversely,
defined contribution plans specify the contribution em­
ployers and employees must make to the plan, but do not
guarantee what future benefits will be; therefore, if
investment returns are low, the employer is not obligated to
provide a minimum level of benefits. Defined contribution
plans can also be less costly to employers than defined
benefit pension plans due to other factors, including lower
administrative costs and voluntary employee participation
in many plans. For more information about the costs of
retirement plans, see Bradley Braden, “Increases in
employer costs for employee benefits dampen dramatical­
ly,” M o n th ly L a b o r R e v ie w , July 1988, pp. 3-7.
14 See Albert Schwenk, “Employee compensation
reports to include detail by type of insurance,” M o n th ly
L a b o r R e v ie w , May 1992, pp. 43-44.

Monthly Labor Review May 1993

21

C ollective bargaining
agreem ents in 1992
Despite a pick-up in the economy,
the concern about job security remained,
perhaps contributing to the restraint
exhibited by those at the bargaining table in 1992

Fehmida R. Sleemi
and
Phyllis I. Brown

Fehmida R. Sleemi and
Phyllis I. Brown are
economists in the Division
of Developments in LaborManagement Relations,
Bureau of Labor Statistics

oderation dominated labor contract
negotiations in 1992. Major collec­
tive bargaining settlements nego­
tiated in private industry in the year called for
changes in wage rates that were lower, on aver­
age, than those in the contracts they replaced.
Additionally, wage changes provided by settle­
ments in 1992 were, on average, at the lowest
level since 1988. Furthermore, the more mod­
erate settlements were accompanied by a re­
cord low number of major work stoppages (29)
in 1992. (Data on major settlements cover bar­
gaining units of 1,000 or more workers; data
on major work stoppages cover strikes and
lockouts involving 1,000 or more workers.)
Major economic indicators in 1992 may
have posed somewhat of a quandary for nego­
tiators. Gross domestic product rose at the
fastest pace since 1989, and with price changes
at their lowest level since 1986, inflation was
not a concern. (See table l.1) Boosted by in­
creases in output and a decline in labor hours,
labor productivity in the nonfarm business sec­
tor posted the largest increase since 1972, and
only moderate increases were recorded in em­
ployers’ costs for compensation as measured
by the Employment Cost Index and unit labor
costs. Despite various signs of an improving
economy, concern about jobs remained for
those at the bargaining table. The unemploy­
ment rate continued rising during the first half
of 1992, and announcements regarding job
cuts —reflecting slow demand, technological

M

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changes, and restructuring by companies —
persisted throughout the year in many of the
industries in which bargaining was scheduled.
Wage changes in settlements
Not since 1988 have current settlements pro­
vided wage rate changes that were lower than
those in the contracts they replaced. (See chart
1.) Major settlements in 1992 provided
changes in wage rates that averaged 2.7 per­
cent increases in the first contract year and 3.0
percent annually over the contract term. (See
table 2.) (The average change is the net effect of
decisions to increase, decrease and not change
wages.) In the previous settlements, which
were primarily negotiated in 1989 and 1990,
wages were scheduled to change, on average,
3.6 percent in the first year and 3.4 percent per
year over the term of the contract. (The Bu­
reau’s measures of wage rate changes under
collective bargaining settlements exclude po­
tential changes under cost-of-living clauses
(COLA’s) and lump-sum payments.) Nearly
400 settlements were negotiated in private in­
dustry in 1992, covering 29 percent (1.6 mil­
lion) of the 5.5 million workers under all major
collective bargaining contracts. Four-fifths of
the workers getting pacts worked in the non­
manufacturing sector, primarily in the con­
struction, communications, food store, and
health services industries.

Table 1.

Selected major economic indicators, 1983-92
1987

1988

1989

1990

1991

1992

2.9

3.1

3.9

2.5

0.8

-1 .2

2.1

3.6
4.3
.8
3.3

1.9
3.6
1.9
2.9

3.6
3.6
.8
2.6

4.1
4.9
.9
3.2

4.8
5.0
-1 .0
4.3

5.4
4.9
0
5.4

4.2
4.3
.5
4.6

3.0
3.5
2.8
0.9

7.5

7.2

7.0

6.2

5.5

5.3

5.5

6.7

7.4

2.4
3.7

2.7
3.3

1.8
2.3

2.1
3.1

2.4
2.6

3.4
3.2

3.2
3.5

3.2
3.6

3.0
3.1

1983

1984

1985

3.9

6.2

3.2

3.2
5.7
2.4
1.5

4.3
5.2
2.1
1.9

Unemployment rate......................................

9.6

Major collective bargaining
agreements, private industry4
Wage rate changes:
Settlements5.............................................
All contracts6............................................

2.8
4.0

Measure1
Percent change in
Gross domestic product.............................
Consumer Price Index—
for all urban consumers .........................
Employment Cost Index2 ...........................
Labor productivity3 ......................................
Unit labor costs3...........................................

1986

under settlements reached in the year, and annualized over the contract
life.

1Data are annual averages unless indicated.
2Data are December-to-December changes.
3Data are for the nonfarm business sector.
4Limited to collective bargaining agreements of 1,000 workers or more.

6Percent change, including net increases, decreases and zero change,
in wages stemming from current settlements reached in the year, settle­
ments reached in a prior year, and cost-of-living adjustment provisions.

5Percent change, including net increases, decreases and zero change,

Average wage changes were lower in settle­
ments reached in 1992 than in the replaced
contracts primarily because their specified
wage increases were smaller, on average, than
those in the previous contracts. Eighty-two
percent of the workers under settlements in
1992 were scheduled to receive wage increases
in the first contract year, averaging 3.6 per­
cent. The last time the same parties bargained,
85 percent of the workers had wage increases
in the first contract year, averaging 4.4 per­
cent. During the term of their contracts, 92
percent of the workers under settlements in
1992 will receive wage rate gains, averaging 3.3
percent. Under the replaced agreements, 94
percent of the workers had specified wage in­
creases, averaging 3.6 percent annually over
the contract life.

Wage changes in back-loaded settlements
averaged an increase of 1.3 percent for the first
contract year and 2.8 percent annually over
the life of the contract. Industries in which
back-loaded contracts covered the plurality of
workers included construction, transportation
equipment manufacturing, railroads, airlines,
public utilities, food stores, and health ser­
vices.
Settlements that were front-loaded called
for changes in wage rates averaging a 4.4-per­
cent increase in the first year and a 3.4-percent
increase annually over the contract term. In­
dustries in which front-loaded contracts cov­
ered the majority of workers included commu­
nications, chemicals, lumber, and food and
kindred products.
Lump-sum payments

Back-loaded contracts
One way to hold down labor costs under multi­
year agreements is to delay all or most of a
wage rate increase until after the first contract
year. Such “hack-loaded” contracts were rare
before 1983, but in that year and again in 1985
and 1986, settlements, on average, were backloaded. Back-loading was prominent again in
1992, with 41 percent of workers under backloaded settlements. Thirty-five percent of the
workers were under front-loaded settlements,
while the remaining 24 percent of the workers
had either 1-year contracts or multi-year pacts
with the same rate of wage change in the first
year and annually over the contract term.


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The inclusion of lump-sum payment provi­
sions in contracts in lieu of all or part of a wage
rate increase is another practice often used to
restrain labor cost increases. Lump-sum pay­
ments slow the rise in labor costs because they
generally are not incorporated into the wage
structure, and they are frequently excluded in
the computation of wage-related benefits.
(While lump-sum payments are excluded from
measures of changes in wage rates, they are in­
cluded in measures of compensation cost
changes discussed later.) About one-third
(514,000) of workers under settlements in 1992
had a provision for cash lump-sum payments
in their contract. They were primarily in the
communications, health care services, and
Monthly Labor Review May 1993

23

Collective Bargaining Agreements, 1992
transportation industries. Twenty-four settle­
ments for 107,900 workers added lump-sum
payment provisions and 49 contracts for
206,200 workers deleted them. By the close of
the year, lump-sum provisions covered 36 per­
cent of the 5.5 million workers under all major
contracts in private industry.
Because lump-sum provisions may generate
payments in addition to wages, contracts con­
taining them typically specify smaller wage
rate changes than contracts without them. (See
chart 2.) In 1992, however, settlements with
lump-sum provisions provided nearly the
same average annual change in wages over the
contract term (2.9 percent) as contracts with­
out such provisions (3.0 percent). As the fol­
lowing tabulation on annual wage changes
over the contract term suggests, some trade­
offs may have occurred between guaranteed
wage increases and lump-sum provisions.
Settlements in 1992 that dropped lump-sum
provisions called for wage changes specifying
higher increases, on average, than were speci­
fied in the contracts they replaced. However,
settlements that did not change the lump-sum
status or that added the provision specified
wage changes that were lower, on average,
than in replaced contracts.

Percent wage rate change in:
S e ttle m e n ts

R e p la c e d

in 1 9 9 2

s e ttle m e n ts

3.0

3.4

3.5
2.8
2.7
2.9

1.8
3.8
3.1
3.5

All settlements............................ . . .
Settlements with lump sums —
Discontinued in 1992 ............ . .
In Neither c o n tr a ct............. . .
In Both contracts.................. . .
Added in 1992 ....................... . .

cola

c la u s e s

COLA clauses call for changes in wages based

on a formula typically tied to changes in the
Consumer Price Index (CPI). In 1992, nearly
one-fifth of the workers were under settle­
ments with COLA provisions, the lowest pro­
portion since such data were first compiled in
1971. These workers were mostly in the com­
munications and transportation equipment
manufacturing industries. Three settlements
for 4,200 workers added COLA clauses and 13
settlements for 73,300 workers discontinued
them. With these changes, 28 percent of all
workers under private industry collective bar­
gaining contracts were covered by COLA’s by

Chart 1. Average annual changes in wage rates over the life of the contract in current and replaced
private industry collective bargaining settlements covering 1,000 workers or more, 1982-92
Percent

1982

Percent

1983

1984

1985

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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

1986

1987

1988

1989

1990

1991

1992

Table 2

Average (mean) changes in wage and compensation rates under collective
bargaining settlements covering 1,000 workers or more, 1992
First-year
change1
(percent)

Annual
change
over life of
contract2
(percent)

Number of
workers
(thousands)

Number of
settlements

2.7
2.7
2.7
2.8
2.6
2.7
2.8
3.0
2.8
2.6
2.6
1.6
3.4
1.7
3.3
1.3
1.9
3.3
2.6
3.4
2.7
3.6
2.6
3.2
2.5
3.8

3.0
2.5
3.1
2.9
3.0
2.5
2.9
3.3
2.6
3.0
2.6
1.9
3.2
2.0
3.1
1.9
2.0
2.7
2.1
3.2
3.0
3.0
3.0
3.3
3.0
3.0

1,608
292
1,316
514
1,094
233
574
282
60
1,035
318
131
187
131
187
104
158
27
27
160
1,290
161
1,129
383
908
128

394
49
345
78
316
27
100
51
22
294
116
36
80
35
81
22
49
13
14
67
278
13
265
43
235
5

3.2
3.0
2.9
2.5
2.0
2.9
3.0
2.3
3.0

3.2
3.4
3.0
3.0
2.4
3.1
3.3
2.5
3.3

415
254
33
875
378
1,230
912
697
911

51
38
8
227
130
264
148
247
147

Wage changes—all industries.......................

2.7

3.1

919

60

Compensation changes—all industries........
With cola clauses...................................
Without cola clauses..............................
With lump sum s......................................
Without lump sums..................................
With either lump sums, cola, or both.....
With neither lump sums nor cola...........
Manufacturing............................................
Nonmanufacturing.....................................
Construction...............................................
All industries excluding construction........
Nonmanufacturing excluding construction
Goods producing.......................................
Service producing ......................................

3.0
4.1
2.7
3.8
2.5
3.8
2.4
2.7
3.1
2.1
3.2
3.3
2.4
3.3

3.1
3.0
3.2
3.2
3.1
3.2
3.1
3.0
3.2
2.7
3.2
3.3
2.8
3.3

919
213
706
376
544
401
519
118
801
136
784
666
254
666

60
10
50
18
42
21
39
7
53
14
46
39
21
39

Measure

Settlements covering 1,000 workers or more
Wage changes—all industries.........................
With cola clauses.....................................
Without cola clauses................................
With lump sum s........................................
Without lump sums................................... .
With both lump sums and cola ................
With either lump sums, cola, or both......
With lump sums, but no cola ..................
With cola, but no lump sums...................
With neither lump sums nor cola ............
Manufacturing.............................................
With cola clauses....................................
Without cola clauses...............................
With lump su m s.......................................
Without lump sums...................................
With both lump sums and cola ...............
With either lump sums, cola, or both......
With lump sums, but no cola ..................
With cola, but no lump sums...................
With neither lump sums nor cola ............
Nonmanufacturing......................................
With cola clauses....................................
Without cola clauses...............................
With lump sums........................................
Without lump sums...................................
With both lump sums and cola ...............
With either lump sums, cola
or both.....................................................
With lump sums but no cola ...................
With cola, but no lump sums..................
With neither lump sums nor cola ............
Construction...............................................
All industries excluding construction.........
Nonmanufacturing excluding construction
Goods producing........................................
Service producing.....................................
Settlements covering 5,000 workers or more

'Changes under settlements reached in the period and
effective within 12 months of the contract effective date.
2Changes under settlements reached in the period
expressed as an average annual rate over the life of the
contract.
Note :


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es, decreases, and zero change. The lump-sum measures
refer to whether or not settlements have cash lump-sum
provisions. All measures exclude any cash or benefit lump­
sum payments and potential changes from cola clauses.
Because of rounding, sums of individual employment
items may not equal totals.

Average (mean) changes include net increas-

Monthly Labor Review May 1993

25

Collective Bargaining Agreements, 1992
the end of 1992, down from 30 percent at the
end of 1991. COLA coverage was about 60 per­
cent from the second half of the 1970’sto 1983,
then dropped steadily to the 40-percent level
by 1987, where it remained until 1991.
Settlements that contain COLA provisions
tend to guarantee lower wage rate changes
than those without a COLA mechanism because
the COLA clause may generate additional wage
increases over the contract term. (At the time
of the settlement, any potential payments,
which depend on changes in the Consumer
Price Index, are unknown and thus cannot be
included in the wage change measures.) Fol­
lowing a pattern that has existed since 1971,
when the comparison was first made, settle­
ments in 1992 containing a COLA clause pro­
vided lower average annual wage changes over
the contract term (2.5 percent) than those
without COLA clauses (3.1 percent).
For all settlements in 1992, the presence of
either lump-sum payments or COLA provisions
made only a slight difference in the size of the
guaranteed wage change over the contract
term. Thirty-six percent of the workers in
settlements in 1992 had either a lump-sum
provision or a COLA clause, or both. Their
settlements called for wage changes averaging
an increase of 2.9 percent, compared with 3.0
percent in contracts with neither provision.
Manufacturing, non manufacturing
In manufacturing settlements, wage rate
Table 3.

changes averaged an increase of 2.6 percent
annually over the contract life. The compara­
ble measure in nonmanufacturing settlements
was 3.0 percent.
Historically, lump-sum and COLA provi­
sions have been negotiated for a higher propor­
tion of manufacturing workers than for non­
manufacturing workers and this was the case
again in 1992. One- half of the workers in man­
ufacturing settlements, compared with about
one-third of those under nonmanufacturing
settlements, had either a lump-sum payment
provision or a COLA clause, or both. For such
workers in manufacturing, wage changes over
the life of the contract averaged an increase of
2.0 percent per year, compared with 3.2 per­
cent for workers under settlements with nei­
ther provision. In nonmanufacturing, contrary
to what might be expected, pacts with either
lump-sum or COLA provisions, or both, speci­
fied wage changes that were somewhat higher
(3.2 percent) than those in contracts without
either provision (3.0 percent).
Compensation changes in settlements
In addition to changes in wages, and some­
times at the expense of wage improvements,
settlements often amend workers’ benefit
packages. Thus, a comparison between settle­
ments in 1992 and their previous contracts
based on changes in total compensation pro­
vides a more comprehensive analysis of the dif-

Average (mean) changes in the cost of compensation and components annu­
alized over the life of the contract in collective bargaining settlements cover­
ing 5,000 workers or more, 1992

[In percent]

Compensation

Cash
payments1

Wages

Benefits

Number of
workers
(thousands)

2.1

1.9

1.9

2.6

919

2.1
2.2

2.0
1.9

2.0
1.9

2.3
2.7

311
608

Manufacturing.......................................

2.1

1.5

1.7

3.4

118

Nonmanufacturing..................................

2.1

2.0

1.9

2.5

801

Goods producing....................................

1.9

1.5

1.6

2.8

254

Service producing.............................

2.2

2.1

2.0

2.5

666

Measure

All industries.......................................
With contingent pay provisions2 ........
Without contingent pay provisions2 ...

1 Cash payments include wages and lump-sum pay­
ments.
2 Contingent pay provisions include com. clauses or
contingent lump- sum payment clauses, or both. Data
exclude potential changes from contingent pay provisions.
Note:

Average (mean) changes include net increases,

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decreases, and zero change under settlements reached in
1992 expressed as an average annual rate over the life of
the contract. Excludes potential changes from contingent
pay provisions.
Because of rounding, sums of individual employment
items may not equal totals.

Chart 2. Average annual change in wage rates over the life of contracts in private industry

settlements covering 1,000 workers or more, 1987-92

Workers under settlements with COLA'S

By cost-of-living provision
Percent

1987

1988

1989

1990

1991

1992

Workers under settlements with lump sums

By lump-sum provision
Percent

Wage rate change (percent)

1987

1988

1989

1990

1991

ference than a comparison based on changes in
wages alone. The average change in compensa­
tion rates, which combines both wage and
benefit modifications in major collective bar­
gaining settlements covering 5,000 or more
workers, was an increase of 3.1 percent annu­
ally over the contract term for agreements ne­
gotiated in 1992. The last time the same parties
bargained, the settlements specified higher
changes in compensation rates, 3.7 percent.
Fifty-seven percent of the workers under
settlements in 1992 were in bargaining units of
at least 5,000 workers.
The measure of change in compensation


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1992

rates covers the ongoing wage and benefit rate
structure, but excludes lump-sum payments,
which are not part of the ongoing rate. A sec­
ond measure compiled for settlements with at
least 5,000 workers, the change in compensa­
tion costs, includes lump-sum payments and
also takes into account the length of time for
which changes in wages and benefits are in ef­
fect during the contract. The average annual
change in compensation costs over the con­
tract life was lower in settlements in 1992 (2.1
percent) than in the agreements they replaced
(3.2 percent).
Under settlements covering 5,000 or more
Monthly Labor Review May 1993

27

Collective Bargaining Agreements, 1992
workers reached in 1992, the annual change in
costs over the life of the contract averaged 1.9
percent for both cash payments (wages and
lump sums) and wages alone, and 2.6 percent
for benefits. This continues the trend in recent
years for the cost of benefits to be increased
proportionately more than wages. As indi­
cated in the following tabulation, annual
changes in benefit costs exceeded changes in
wage costs in 4 of the 5 years for which the data
have been compiled.

tween wages and benefits. Highlights of the
settlement terms for the industries and bar­
gaining units affecting the largest number of
workers follow.2

Construction. Construction workers ac­
counted for nearly one-fourth (378,000) of all
workers under major settlements in 1992. The
130 construction settlements provided wage
changes averaging increases of 2.0 percent in
the first year and 2.4 percent annually over the
contract life, marking the second consecutive
year in which wage changes in construction
P e r c e n t c h a n g e in c o sts fo r :
settlements were lower than those in all other
industries combined. Bargaining in construc­
T o ta l
T o ta l
W ages
B e n e fits
com pen cash
o n ly
tion in 1992 also resulted in lower average
sa tio n
p a y m e n ts
changes in wage rates than the percent agreed
1988 ........ .........
to the last time the same parties met for con­
1.7
1.5
1.6
2.1
1989 ........ .........
2.8
2.9
2.9
2.9
tract talks, which was generally in 1989. With
1990 ........ .........
2.4
2.2
2.1
2.8
demand for construction remaining weak in
1 9 9 1 ........ .........
2.4
2.3
2.1
2.5
most markets, the 1992 unemployment rate
1992 ........ .........
2.1
1.9
1.9
2.6
for private wage and salary workers in the in­
dustry (16.7 percent) was the highest since
Higher benefit than wage increases were 1983.
Settlements in each of the three major con­
also recorded during these years in the Bu­
reau’s Employment Cost Index, which covers struction sectors stipulated lower wage rate
all establishments regardless of their size or changes under 1992 settlements, compared
union status. In 1992, the Employment Cost with replaced agreements. Special trade settle­
Index for private industry workers reported ments negotiated in 1992 provided average
increases of 5.2 percent for benefits and 2.6 wage changes over the contract life of 2.8 per­
cent per year, compared with 3.1 percent when
percent for wages.
the
parties previously bargained. For building
It is possible that the cost of the compensa­
construction,
average wage changes were 2.3
tion package will rise further for some work­
ers. In addition to specified wages, lump-sums, percent in 1992 and 3.0 percent for the pre­
and benefits, about one-third of the workers vious bargaining period, and for heavy con­
under settlements for 5,000 or more workers in struction the measures were 2.2 percent and
1992 had provisions for contingent payments. 2.7 percent. Average contract duration was
(See table 3.) Examples of such provisions are noticeably shorter (29 months) in heavy con­
struction settlements reached in 1992 than in
COLA clauses and profit sharing plans. Pay­
the
previous pacts (35 months). Duration was
ments under these provisions depend on future
little
changed, however, between the two sets
occurrences that are unknown at the time of
the settlement, such as changes in the CPI or of negotiations in the general building and spe­
the level of a company’s profits; they are not cial trades sectors.
Generally, because of differences in local
included in measures of specified cost changes.
conditions,
regional variations exist in the size
In settlements with contingent pay provisions,
cost changes averaged an increase of 2.1 per­ of wage rate changes provided by construction
cent, compared with 2.2 percent in those with­ settlements, and this was true again in 1992.
The average gain was highest in settlements in
out such provisions.
the West North Central region (3.2 percent),
followed by interregional agreements —those
Specific industry negotiations
that spanned more than one region (3.0 per­
cent).3 Bargaining was concentrated in the Pa­
Annual wage rate changes over the contract cific and East North Central regions, which to­
term ranged from 0 to 4.4 percent among the gether accounted for 55 percent of workers
various industries with settlements in 1992. covered by construction settlements. The fol­
(See table 4.) The differences in wage changes lowing tabulation presents average annual
often reflected the specific conditions and changes in wage rates for construction settle­
problems facing negotiators, and trade-offs be­ ments by region:
28 Monthly Labor Review May 1993

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work done by outside contractors to the bar­
gaining unit, broader transfer opportunities
for surplus employees, and expanding the jobs
All construction settlements ..
2.4
100
covered by the contract. For workers forced
West North Central .............
3.2
10
Interregional........... .............
3.0
10
off the payrolls, there were improved rehire
Middle Atlantic .. . .............
2.9
12
rights, expanded early retirement and termina­
P acific...................... .............
2.4
32
tion benefits, and increased help with retrain­
Mountain ................ .............
2.2
3
ing. Several contracts also contained company
New E n glan d ......... .............
2.2
2
East North Central. .............
2.0
23
pledges of neutrality in the union’s organizing
South C entral......... .............
1.7
3
efforts among non-unionized components of
South Atlantic . . . . .............
1.3
5
the firm. All of the contracts also included im­
provements in wages and retained fully em­
Communications. Settlements in the com- ployer-paid health insurance. A majority of
munications industry in 1992 covered about the workers in the regional telephone compan­
359,000 workers, a little more than one-fifth of ies were covered by contingent lump-sum pay­
all workers under settlements during the year. ment provisions. The AT&T contract called for
Communications was one of the few industries two specified lump-sum stock payments under
in which settlements in 1992 provided wage anew “Sharesfor Growth” program, whichrerate changes that were higher, on average, than placed the “AT&T Performance Award” plan.
in the agreements they replaced, 3.5 percent
annually over the contract term, compared Wholesale and retail trade. Settlements
with 2.4 percent. Wage rate changes under reached in 1992 in wholesale and retail trade
communications settlements reached in 1992 covered 200,000 workers; some 165,000 of
were also higher than in all other industries whom worked in food stores. The remainder
combined.
were employed in drug stores, department
Ninety-six percent of the workers covered stores, wholesale trade, restaurants, and auto­
by settlements in the communications industry motive dealerships. The new agreements pro­
were employed by AT&T and six of the seven vided wage changes averaging an increase of 3.3
regional telephone companies that together percent annually over the term of the contract.
constituted the former Bell System. Signing
Most of the workers under retail food store
contracts in 1992 in addition to AT&T were: settlements were represented by the United
Ameritech, Bell Atlantic, BellSouth Corpora­ Food and Commercial Workers and employed
tion, Pacific Telesis, Southwestern Bell, and by local or regional chains. Their new pacts
U.S. West Communications. The workers called for wage changes to average an increase
were represented by either the Communica­ of 3.2 percent annually over the term, com­
tions Workers of America or the International pared with 3.4 percent in the rest of trade and
Brotherhood of Electrical Workers. NYNEX 3.3 percent specified in the replaced contracts.
led the bargaining round when it signed new
About one-fourth of the workers under food
pacts in 1991 with the Communication Work­ store industry settlements had guaranteed
ers and the Electrical Workers 11 months lump-sum payments; no settlements had con­
ahead of the 1992 scheduled contract expira­ tingent lump-sum provisions. Workers whose
tions. While some of the contracts expiring in contracts provided lump-sum payments had
1992 were extended several times before new smaller average annual wage changes over the
agreements were reached, this third round of term of the contract (2.1) percent than did
negotiations since the court-ordered break-up their counterparts who did not receive lump­
of the Bell System in 1984, differed markedly sum payments (3.6 percent.) During 1992,
from the particularly contentious bargaining lump- sum payments were newly negotiated in
in 1989. In that round, settlements for four of two food store settlements for 7,500 workers
the seven regional telephone companies were and dropped in six agreements affecting
preceded by work stoppages. None of the 56,800 workers, bringing the proportion of
settlements in 1992 involved a work stoppage.
workers under all major contracts in the indus­
With technological changes and competitive try with lump-sum provisions to 18 percent.
pressures continuing to threaten unionized Coverage has been steadily declining from a
jobs, job security was a primary focus of the high of 60 percent in 1987.
1992 negotiations. While differing from one
Over the years, the presence of lump-sum
company contract to another, nearly all of the provisions seems to have limited the average
settlements contained new or enhanced mech­ size of wage rate changes in food store collec­
anisms to address this issue. Job security im­ tive bargaining settlements. For example, in
provements included provisions for shifting 1987, when two-thirds of the workers under


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P ercen t
w age change

P ercen t
o f w o rk ers

Monthly Labor Review May 1993

29

Collective Bargaining Agreements, 1992
settlements had a lump-sum provision, annual
wage changes under industry settlements aver­
aged an increase of 1.6 percent. In that year,
annual wage changes for settlements in all in­
dustries averaged an increase of 2.1 percent. In
1990, lump- sum provisions were present in
food store settlements covering less than 10

Table 4.

percent of the workers, and the average annual
rate of change in wages was an increase of 3.8
percent. The comparable measure for all
settlements in 1990 was 3.2 percent.
Health services.

With seven-tenths of the

Average (mean) changes in wage rates annualized over the life of the contract under collective bar­
gaining settlements covering 1,000 workers or more, selected industries, 1987-92

[In percent]
Industry

1987

1988

1992
1989

1990

1991
Settlements

All industries....................................
Mining..............................................
Construction....................................
Building construction..................
Heavy construction excluding
building......................................
Special trade contractors...........
Manufacturing.................................
Food and kindred products............
Tobacco products.......................
Textile mill products...................
Apparel and other textile
products....................................
Lumber and wood products
except furniture..........................
Furniture and fixtures ....................
Paper and allied products..............
Printing and publishing...................
Chemicals and
allied products...............................
Petroleum and coal products.........
Rubber and miscellaneous
plastics products...........................
Leather and leather product...........
Stone, clay, glass, and
concrete products.........................
Primary metal industries..............
Fabricated metal products...........
Industrial machinery and
equipment.....................................
Electronic and other electric
equipment......................................
Transportation equipment..............
Instruments and related
products.........................................
Miscellaneous manufacturing
industries........................................
Nonmanufacturing2 .........................
Railroad transportation...................
Trucking and warehousing.............
Airlines.............................................
Communications.............................
Electric, gas, and sanitary
services..........................................
Wholesale and retail trade...........
Food stores.....................................
Finance, insurance, and real
estate.............................................
Services...........................................
Health services...............................

2.1
—
3.1
3.6

2.4
(1)
2.6
2.7

3.4
(1)
3.0
3.0

3.2
4.9
4.2
4.0

3.2
(1)
2.9
2.7

3.0
(1)
2.4
2.3

3.4
(1)
2.9
3.0

2.2
3.0
1.3
2.7
—
5.6

2.8
2.4
2.1
2.2
(1)
2.7

2.9
3.1
3.2
3.1
(1)
4.0

4.2
4.5
2.1
3.4
—
4.2

3.1
3.0
3.1
3.2
(1)
4.1

2.2
2.8
2.6
2.6
(1)
4.4

2.7
3.1
2.6
2.5
(1)
4.1

4.0

4.1

(1)

3.5

(1)

2.5

3.2

(1)
(1)
1.2
2.1

2.8
(1)
1.7
(’)

(1)
(1)
1.9
3.2

(1)
(1)
2.1
3.5

(1)
(1)
1.7
1.6

3.3
(1)
2.7
0)

1.9
(1)
1.6
(1)

1.9
(1)

2.7
2.5

3.5
(1)

4.0
5.0

4.1
—

3.7
—

3.9
—

-.7
(1)

1.3
(1)

(1)

(’)
(1)

.9
(1)

(1)

(1)

2.3
-.8
1.3

2.5
1.4
2.2

2.6
3.7
2.2

3.0
4.7
2.3

(’)
0)
2.0

1.9
.8
2.0

2.6
1.2
2.4

.3

1.2

1.7

1.3

1.2

(1)

(1)

2.1
.9

1.8
.8

2.8
4.2

.9
1.4

(1)
3.7

(1)
(1)

(1)
(1)

—

(1)

3.0

(1)

(1)

(1)

(1)

—

(1)
3.3

(1)
3.0

(1)
3.6

(1)
2.7

3.5
2.5

(’)
3.4

4.0

2.6
(1)
3.5
1.5

__
1.0
.7
1.8

_

_

(1)
4.6
2.4

(1)
4.6
3.0

2.9
(1)
4.3
(1)

4.1
(1)
.9
3.5

2.6
(1)
4.4
2.4

3.1
1.7
1.6

2.8
3.2
2.8

3.7
3.5
3.2

4.0
3.7
3.8

4.4
3.3
3.4

3.9
3.3
3.2

4.1
3.5
3.3

3.5
4.1
2.9

4.7
4.3
4.9

4.8
6.1
7.7

2.9
5.3
5.6

(1)
4.9
7.3

3.7
3.4
3.5

(1)
8.2
8.9

’ Data do not meet publication standards,
includes mining and construction, shown above.
Note:

Average (mean) changes include net increases, decreases,

30 Monthly Labor Review May 1993

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Replaced
contracts

and zero change under settlements reached in the period expressed as an
average annual rate over the life of the contract. Excludes lump-sum pay­
ments and potential changes from cola clauses.
Dashes Indicate no observations.

workers under major contracts in the health
services industry covered by a new agreement,
1992 was a heavy bargaining year in the indus­
try. About 127,000 workers in hospitals and
other health care facilities were covered under
21 contracts negotiated in 1992. Annual wage
changes over the life of the contract in health
care settlements (3.5 percent) were higher, on
average, than in all other industries combined
(2.9 percent). The pattern of higher wage
settlements in health care industries than in all
other industries has existed since 1982, when
such data were first tabulated.
While wage gains continued to be above av­
erage in the health services industry, settle­
ments in 1992 provided lower wage rate gains
than those previously bargained, which aver­
aged an increase of 8.9 percent annually over
the life of the agreement. Settlements affecting
50 percent of all health care workers covered
by 1992 settlements included lump-sum pay­
ment provisions. None of the agreements con­
tained COLA clauses.
The Home Health Care Council of New
York agreement, ratified in January 1992, cov­
ered 20,000 home health care workers repre­
sented by local 1199 of the Drug, Hospital, and
Health Care Employees Union. The 2-year
agreement, which was retroactive to July 1990
and increased wages by 5 percent to $6.20 per
hour, followed a 2-year agreement negotiated
in 1988, which raised wages by 42 percent
from $4.15 to $5.90 per hour. (The contract
signed in January 1992 expired June 30, 1992.
The parties continued operating under that
contract throughout the remainder of the year,
as they had not settled a new contract by the
end of 1992.)
About 35 percent (45,000) of the workers
under the industry’s 1992 settlements were
covered by the June agreement between the
League of Voluntary Hospitals and Homes of
New York (the league) and Local 1199 of the
Drug, Hospital and Health Care Employees
Union. The 3-year contract, which was effec­
tive July 1, provided a $500 lump-sum pay­
ment and a 3-percent wage increase in the first
year, a 3-percent wage increase in the second
year, and a 4-percent wage increase in the final
year of the agreement. The health care plan
was maintained with no employee co-pay­
ments or deductibles.
The employer contribution to the benefit
fund was increased by 1.2 percentage points in
the first year, and 1.8 percentage points in the
second to 17.53 percent of gross payroll. Em­
ployer contributions to the pension fund were
raised by 1.5 percentage points to 6.75 percent
of gross payroll in the first year, and to the


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training fund by 0.25 percentage points to 0.75
percent of payroll in the second year. The
training fund will help support a job security
provision, which gives laid-off league workers
preference in obtaining jobs at league hospi­
tals. A child care fund was established, with
employers contributing 0.3 percent of payroll
in the third year of the agreement.
The peacefully concluded 1992 negotiations
ended a 20-year series of league agreements
that had been preceded by work stoppages or
threats of such action. The negotiations also
marked a return to pattern bargaining among
former league members. In 1986, several hos­
pitals, including the Catholic Hospitals of New
York, Beth Israel Medical Center, and the
Presbyterian Hospital, broke from the league
and reached separate contracts with Local
1199 that included wage terms different from
the league. Different terms were also nego­
tiated in the 1989 settlements.
On the West Coast, Kaiser Permanente
reached agreements at its medical facilities in
Northern and Southern California. The 3-year
agreement negotiated October 31 between
Kaiser Permanente (Northern California) and
13.000 employees represented by Local 250 of
the Hospital and Health Care Workers pro­
vided 5 percent wage increases in each year of
the agreement. The new pact covers a variety
of jobs ranging from nurses to housekeepers;
workers in classifications in which Kaiser has
had trouble recruiting new employees, such as
nurses and technical staff, received an addi­
tional 2-percent wage increase. Evening and
night shift differentials were increased by 25
cents per hour in the first year to a range of
$1-$1.95 per hour. The contract also provided
an additional $2 per hour (was $1) in lieu of
benefits for technical employees working less
than 20 hours per week.
In Southern California, Kaiser Permanente
negotiated a 3-year agreement on June 22 with
6.000 nurses and physicians’ assistants repre­
sented by the United Nurses Association of
California. In the first year, nurses received a
4-percent wage increase and physicians’ assis­
tants received 4.5 percent. In the second and
third years of the agreement, all covered em­
ployees will receive 2 percent each year, or
whatever increase is necessary to keep wage
rates 4 percent above the average rate paid by
25 other area hospitals.
Electric, gas, and sanitary services. Approxi­
mately 97,000 workers were covered by 34
contracts reached during 1992 in the electric,
gas, and sanitary services industry. Major
settlements included the pact between ConsolMonthly Labor Review May 1993

31

Collective Bargaining Agreements, 1992
idated Edison Company of New York and the
Utility Workers of America, and the Com­
monwealth Edison of Illinois and Florida
Power and Light contracts with the Electrical
Workers.
Bargaining in the industry is at the local lev­
el and settlement terms vary with the parties
involved. All of the settlements provided wage
increases in the first contract year, with the
gains ranging from 1.9 percent to 7.6 percent.
The range of the annual wage changes over the
contract terms was much narrower, 2.1 per­
cent to 4.7 percent. Overall, settlements in the
industry provided wage changes averaging 4.1
percent in the first contract year and 3.9 per­
cent annually over the life of the contracts,
nearly the same as the replaced contracts.
Continuing a pattern exhibited since the
data were first tabulated in 1982, wage settle­
ments in the electric, gas, and sanitary services
industry were higher, on average, than those in
all other industries combined. As in the past,
the utility settlements also tended to forgo pro­
visions for lump-sum payments or COLA’s.
Only 14 percent of the workers under 1992
settlements were covered by contracts with ei­
ther of these clauses.
The Boeing Company. Amid continuing cuts
in spending and employment in the aerospace
industry, Boeing concluded two settlements
during 1992. In early October, Boeing and the
International Association of Machinists
reached an agreement for 46,000 workers in
Washington, Oregon, and Kansas. An identi­
cal agreement was negotiated in mid-October
with the United Automobile Workers for
2,900 workers in Pennsylvania.
The 3-year contracts called for a lump-sum
payment for the first year of the contract equal
to 12 percent of the employee’s earnings dur­
ing the previous contract year, and wage in­
creases of 3.5 percent in the second and third
contract years. A two-tiered wage system was
established, with lower rates for new-hires in
the six lowest job levels. Wage rates for new
hires in the four highest classifications were in­
creased. The COLA clause was continued un­
changed from the previous contracts, and 30
cents was prepaid in October 1992, to be offset
by COLA amounts generated by the subsequent
quarterly reviews.
Benefit improvements included increased
life insurance and higher payments for acciden­
tal death and dismemberment, and disability.
Pensions were increased from $30 to $35 per
month for each year of credited service. Peace­
ful negotiations were threatened when Boeing
sought to have workers begin paying part of
32 Monthly Labor Review May 1993

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their health care insurance. A confrontation
was avoided when Boeing agreed to continue to
fully finance employee health insurance.
Wage changes in all contracts
The average change in wage rates from all ma­
jor contracts (those covering at least 1,000
workers) in effect during 1992 was an increase
of 3.1 percent, compared with 3.6 percent in
1991. Prior to 1992, the average change in
wages had risen for three consecutive years. In
any year, collective bargaining contracts can
generate wage changes from one or more
sources: settlements negotiated in the year,
settlements reached in prior years, and the op­
eration of COLA clauses. Whether the wage
change is an increase or a decrease, the size of
the change, and the number of workers receiv­
ing the changes all affect the average change.
The moderation in 1992 in the average wage
change under all contracts reflects several of
these factors, and a comparison with 1991
measures can help illustrate their effects. The
relatively modest first year increases provided
by settlements negotiated in 1992 and the high
percentage of workers not receiving an in­
crease in the first year of their contract held the
contribution to the average wage rate change
from settlements in 1992 to 0.8 percent. In
1991, the comparable measure was 1.1 per­
cent, reflecting higher average first year
changes provided by 1991 settlements and a
larger proportion of workers receiving
changes.
In 1992, the contribution from settlements
reached in earlier years was 1.9 percent, the
same as in 1991. In both years, about the same
percentage of workers under all major con­
tracts received deferred wage increases and the
average increases were nearly the same size.
Wage changes from COLA’s contributed 0.4
percent in 1992, down from 0.5 percent in
1991. While the average wage increase gener­
ated by COLA clauses was the same in 1992 as
in 1991, the proportion of workers receiving a
COLA was considerably smaller in 1992.
Overall in 1992, 85 percent of the 5.5 million
workers under all major contracts received a
wage rate increase, averaging 3.7 percent.
Nearly 1.3 million workers had gains averag­
ing 3.6 percent from settlements negotiated in
1992, and 2.8 million workers received in­
creases averaging 3.8 percent from settlements
reached earlier. About 1 million workers re­
ceived an average increase of 2.0 percent from
COLA’s. (Some workers received a change from
more than one source.)

About 782,000 workers were covered by
contracts that did not change wages in 1992,
and 72,000 were under contracts that called
for wage rate decreases. The decreases aver­
aged 5.3 percent and resulted primarily from
settlements during the year.
Wage RATE CHANGES under settlements in
1992, were lower, on average, than those in

agreements they replaced, reversing a pattern
of higher new pacts that existed between 1989
and 1991. In addition, the greater part of the
wage increases under many settlements were
delayed beyond the first contract year. Con­
tracts for approximately 2 million workers are
scheduled to be renegotiated in 1993. Whether
they will continue the moderation of 1992 re­
mains to be seen.
□

Footnotes
A c k n o w l e d g m e n t : Economists David R. Dunn and

Edward J. Wasilewski, Jr., in the Division of Develop­
ments in Labor-Management Relations contributed to this
article. William M. Davis and Douglas R. LeRoy, also
economists in the Division, prepared the tables and charts.
1 This article uses annual average data from the Con­
sumer Price Index for all Urban Consumers (CPI-U).
Another way to measure price change is the December-toDecember change discussed in Richard C. Bahr, “Con­
sumer price rise slows further in 1992,” pp. 53-56.
2 For more detailed terms of 1992 settlements, see vari­
ous issues of C o m p e n s a tio n a n d W o r k in g C o n d itio n s , a
monthly publication of the Bureau of Labor Statistics; and
Susan Behrmann, Michael H. Cimini, and Eric Johnson,
“Labor-management bargaining in 1992,” M o n th ly L a b o r
R e v ie w , January 1993, pp. 19-34.


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3
Regions and the States they comprise (including the
District of Columbia) are the following: New England —
Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode
Island, Connecticut; Middle Atlantic—New York, New
Jersey, Pennsylvania; East North Central —Ohio, Indiana,
Illinois, Michigan, Wisconsin; West North Central—Min­
nesota, Iowa, Missouri, North Dakota, South Dakota, Ne­
braska, Kansas; South Atlantic —Delaware, Maryland,
District of Columbia, Virginia, West Virginia, North Car­
olina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida; South Central —
Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama, Mississippi, Arkansas,
Louisiana, Oklahoma, Texas; Mountain—Montana, Ida­
ho, Wyoming, Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona, Utah,
Nevada; Pacific—Washington, Oregon, California, Alas­
ka, Hawaii.

Monthly Labor Review May 1993

33

M ultifactor productivity in
the utility services industries
Growth in multifactor productivity in these industries
slowed by 3.2 percent per year after 1973,
according to a new bls study; results also show
the impact of energy price increases
on the utility services industries,
which are heavily dependent on fossil fuel inputs

John L. Glaser

John L. Glaser is an
economist in the
Division of Productivity
Research, Office of
Productivity and
Technology, Bureau of
Labor Statistics.

his article introduces a new BLS measure
of multifactor productivity for the util­
ity services industries, that is, electric,
gas, and sanitary services.1The measure relates
output to inputs of capital, labor, energy, ma­
terials, and purchased business services. By
contrast, the previously available BLS labor
productivity measure relates output to labor
input only.2It is important to consider factors
other than labor in measuring productivity for
the utilities because capital, energy, and mate­
rials each account for a larger portion of utili­
ties’ total costs than does labor; thus, it is rea­
sonable to expect the industry to strive for pro­
ductivity gains in the use of these inputs. In
particular, the heavy use of fossil fuels by utili­
ties offers a unique opportunity to study the
impact of past energy price increases on pro­
ductivity.
After 1973, labor productivity growth
slowed by 1.7 percent per year in the nonfarm
business sector.3A much larger slowdown of
6.4 percent per year occurred in electric, gas,
and sanitary services. This finding is consistent
with the view that the productivity slowdown
partly reflected rising energy prices. Given the
extensive consumption of fossil fuels by elec­
tric and gas utilities, large increases in the rela­
tive cost of energy would be expected to alter

T

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the optimal mix of inputs in this industry.
Moreover, passing on higher energy costs
would tend to reduce demand for the indus­
try’s output, limiting some important sources
of productivity growth. Capacity utilization
could fall, compromising existing scale econo­
mies. But also, acquisitions of new plant and
equipment could be delayed, along with any
technical improvements associated with them.
It is important to know whether multifactor
productivity growth, like labor productivity
growth, has slowed significantly over the
years. Average annual rates of growth in mul­
tifactor productivity are reported here for
1948 through 1988. Data for the pre- and
post-1973 periods reveal the extent of the pro­
ductivity slowdown in utility services indus­
tries. The multifactor productivity framework
is also used to examine single-factor productiv­
ity ratios for inputs other than labor and
whether they rose or fell following the energy
price increases.
This article contributes to our understand­
ing of productivity and costs in the services
sector generally. For example, 12 percent of
capital income in the nonfarm, nonmanufac­
turing sector of the economy accrued to utility
services industries in 1988, and electric utili­
ties have accounted for more than one-third of

annual energy consumption in the United
States since 1981.4 Thus, examination of pro­
ductivity gains stemming from these and other
factors in utility services industries is an im­
portant component of an effort to understand
multifactor productivity trends in services as a
whole.5
Methodology
Measurement framework. Multifactor pro­
ductivity is defined as output per unit of com­
bined inputs of capital, labor, energy, materi­
als, and purchased business services. Since
multifactor productivity growth is being mea­
sured for a small group of industries in this
study, it is important that intermediate in­
puts —energy, materials, and services —are ex­
plicitly included. Measures of productivity for
large sectors of the economy may reasonably
be defined in terms of real value-added output
relative to labor and capital inputs. This is be­
cause most intermediate inputs are both pro­
duced and consumed within large sectors;
therefore, intermediates would be counted as
both inputs and outputs in gross output mea­
sures. It follows that value-added measures
avoid double counting intermediate transac­
tions. By contrast, for multifactor productivity
measures of smaller groups of industries, such
as the utilities sector, it becomes more impor­
tant to consider the effects of intermediate in­
puts. If intermediates were omitted, economies
or diseconomies in their use would not be re­
flected correctly in the productivity measure.
Inclusion of intermediate inputs implies a
broader definition of output. Now, gross out­
put would equal all sales by public utilities, in­
cluding those to other utilities. In this study,
we develop measures of sectoral output, de­
fined as sales to customers outside the public
utilities sector.6 Sectoral output differs from
gross output in that it avoids double counting
miraindustry transactions. These transactions
are important for electric and gas utilities be­
cause of the substantial amounts of gas and
electricity resold among them and because of
consumption of gas by electric utilities.
Intraindustry sales of gas and electricity are
excluded from input as well as from output.
With respect to the electric utilities, this helps
to focus the analysis on efficiency in the con­
version of fossil fuels to electricity and on the
delivery of electricity to end users. In effect,
those quantities of electricity transmitted be­
tween producers are removed from both out­
put and energy input.
Identification of intraindustry gas sales is
complicated by the fact that the gas industry is


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divided between two major SIC industry
groups. Gas is produced at wells and process­
ing plants classified in SIC 13, oil and gas ex­
traction. It is then purchased by pipeline and
distribution companies in SIC 49 and is trans­
ported, after possibly being stored for a time,
and delivered to final consumers. Gas sold by
producers in SIC 13 to pipelines and distribu­
tors in SIC 49 is classified as input in this study,
but gas resold by pipelines to distributors is
not. The latter transactions account for the
bulk of intraindustry gas sales. Purchases from
gas utilities by electric utilities are also ex­
cluded from energy input and from output.
Typically, utility companies are engaged in
two major types of activities: delivery of utility
services and construction of facilities. Con­
struction work performed by utilities is consid­
ered an output of the construction industry,
and not the utility services industry, because it
is a fundamentally different type of production
from the delivery of utility services.7
The measure of multifactor productivity in
utility services industries introduced in this
analysis is an index computed from annual
rates of multifactor productivity growth. The
multifactor productivity growth rate is com­
puted as the rate of growth in sectoral output
less the rate of growth in aggregate input; that is,
(1)

A In A = A In 7 - A In /,

where Ain refers to differences in successive
logarithms, A is an index of multifactor pro­
ductivity, Y is an index of sectoral output, and
I is an index of aggregate input.
The measure I is computed as a Tornqvist
index of the five major types of inputs as fol­
lows.8 First, annual rates of growth in aggre­
gate input are computed:
(2)

Ain / =

Wi Ain

Here, Ain refers to differences in successive
logarithms, X\ are quantity indexes of inputs i
(i = K,L,EM ,S), and wt are averages of the
factor shares in income of each input (sf) in the
current and previous years; that is,
(3)

wi t = (si t + sit t . j)/2 .

Then the aggregate input index (I) is con­
structed as a “chain index,” that is to say, by
setting I q equal to 1 in the first year and com­
puting It for each successive year —1 year at a
time —using the time series of input growth
rates (Ain It) and the formula
Monthly Labor Review May 1993

35

Multifactor Productivity in Utility Services
(4)

I - I

11~ l t - 1 e

¿ini,

Similarly, the multifactor productivity in­
dex (A) is constructed from the multifactor
productivity growth rates (Ain Af) in formula
( l ):9

A,=

(5)

A ,.x

Data. Total input is a Tornqvist aggregate of
quantity measures for each of the five major
types of input. These major input measures are,
in turn, Tornqvist indexes of more detailed in­
put categories, as dictated by the availability of
data. In general, we begin with quantity in­
dexes for specific inputs at the most detailed
level that source data permit. A price series
corresponding to each input is calculated by di­
viding current dollar expenditures on the input
by the quantity index. These data permit com­
putation of Tornqvist chain indexes for each
major type of input and, thus, for total input.
Total output is computed as a Tornqvist ag­
gregate of quantity indexes for the output of

Table 1.

each utility service.10 In turn, output indexes
for both electricity and natural gas services are
derived from sales and revenue data for several
categories of consumption.11
Ideally, source data express quantity in
physical units and in sufficient detail that each
category within output and input is homoge­
neous. This is approximately true for electric­
ity and gas output and for capital and energy
inputs. Data for electricity and gas output are
reported by type of customer, distinguishing
otherwise homogeneous products on the basis
of their unit costs of production and delivery.
Aggregate capital input is derived from data
for 17 types of capital, and energy input is
based on 10 different fuels. Physical quantities
are also reported for gas used as a material in­
put in production.
Data on expenditures must be relied upon in
the development of both nongas materials and
business services inputs. Several categories of
purchases are deflated separately prior to ag­
gregation, in an effort to obtain the most reli­
able constant-dollar measures possible.

Compound annual rates of change in productivity and related measures for
the utility services industries, 1948-88
Multifactor and single-factor productivity

Period

Multifactor
productivity

QY/QI

Capital

Labor

Energy

Materials

QY/QK

QY/QL

QY/QE

QY/QM

Business
services

QY/QS

1948-88..........................................
1948-73 (a )..............................
1973-88 (b )..............................

2.4
3.6
.4

1.8
3.4
-.8

3.8
6.2
-.2

1.3
1.2
1.4

2.9
3.6
1.9

0.6
.9
.1

Change (b - a ) ..................................

-3 .2

-4 .2

-6 .4

.2

-1 .7

-.8

Output and Input
Business
services

Output

Capital

Labor

Energy

Materials

QY

QK

QL

OE

QM

1948-88...........................................
1948-73 (a ) ................................
1973-88 (b )..............................

5.4
7.8
1.6

3.6
4.3
2.4

1.6
1.5
1.8

4.1
6.5
.2

-.3

4.8
6.9
1.5

Change (b - a )..................................

-6 .2

-1 .9

.3

-6 .3

-4 .4

-5 .4

2.5
4.1

OS

Prices
Output

Capitol

Labor

Energy

Materials

PY

PK

PL

PE

PM

PS

1948-88...........................................
1948-73 (a ) ..............................
1973-88 (b )..............................

3.7
.6
9.2

5.8
4.3
8.5

6.5

5.4

5.5

2.1

7.3
4.0

8.1

11.0

13.1

4.5
3.2
6.8

Change (b - a )................................

8.6

4.2

2.6

8.9

9.1

3.6

N ote : Q = quantity; P = price; Y = sectoral output; / =
total inputs; K= capital input; L = labor input; E = energy input;

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Business
Services

M = materials input; S = purchased business services input,

Only labor input is based on one category of
source data. It is measured in hours paid for,
where hours of all employees are considered
homogeneous. Hours of employees devoted
solely to construction of new facilities are ex­
cluded. This is consistent with the definition of
output as utility services provided to other sec­
tors. Labor hours devoted to construction of
facilities are an input to the construction in­
dustry. The facilities themselves are capital
goods and are inputs to the utilities services in­
dustry.
Results
Measures of growth in multifactor productiv­
ity and in single-factor productivities for the
utility services industries appear in table 1.
Growth rates in quantities and prices of output
and each of the five major inputs are also dis­
played. The growth rates are presented for
1948 to 1988, as well as for the pre-1973 and
post-1973 periods, which, by convention, are
compared in studies of the productivity slow­
down.
Multifactor productivity in utility services
industries grew at an average rate of 2.4 per­
cent per year from 1948 to 1988, compared
with 1.2 percent per year in the whole nonfarm
business sector. The average rate spans periods
of quite different performances in productivity
by the utilities. A rate of growth of 3.6 percent
per year during the 1948-73 period was fol­
lowed by a 0.4-percent annual growth rate
from 1973 to 1988. This slowdown of 3.2 per­
cent per year reflects a dropoff of 6.2 percent
per year in the growth rate of output, accom­
panied by a 2.9-percent decline in the annual
rate of input growth. (See chart 1.)
The first absolute declines in utility services
output in the postwar era occurred in 1974 and
1982. These years also witnessed falling output
for the nonfarm business sector. The slower
growth of utility services output after 1973
coincided with average increases in the price of
utility services of 9.2 percent per year.
Total input growth is a weighted sum of
changes in the quantities of individual inputs,
with the weights being the shares in total in­
come of each input. Table 1 shows rates of
growth in the quantities of individual inputs,
and table 2 shows the average share in income
of each. In the post-1973 period, the only input
whose quantity decreased was materials, while
energy input grew very slowly. (See chart 2.)
The use of purchased business services in­
creased, but contributed little to growth in to­
tal input, due to business services’ modest
share in income. Capital input, with a 38-per-


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Table 2.

Average factor shares In income in utility services
industries, 1948-88
Materials Business
services

Total
Input

Capital

1948-88...........................
1948-73 (a )..............
1973-88 (b)..............

1.00
1.00
1.00

0.45
.49
.38

0.18
.21
.15

0.14
.10
.21

0.15
.12
.18

0.08
.08
.08

Change (b - a ) ...............

.00

-.11

-.0 6

.11

.06

.00

Period

Labor Energy

cent average cost share from 1973 to 1988,
grew faster than output and accounted for
two-thirds of total input growth after 1973. La­
bor input growth also added to growth in ag­
gregate input.
Comparisons of changes in output relative
to those in each input are expressed as single­
factor productivity statistics in table 1. Al­
though these statistics relate changes in output
to changes in individual types of input, they do
not measure the specific contribution of any
single factor of production. Rather, they re­
flect the joint effects of many influences, in­
cluding changes in technology, in levels of out­
put, and in the organization of production.
Capital productivity growth slowed 4.2 per­
cent per year from the pre-1973 period to the
post-1973 period. While output growth fell by

Table 3.

Percent of capacity
u tiliza tio n , u tilitie s, 1 9 6 7 -8 8
Percent

Year
1967.................................................
1968.................................................
1969.................................................

93.4
94.1
95.8

1970.................................................
1971.................................................
1972.................................................
1973.................................................
1974.................................................

95.4
93.9
94.6
92.9
86.8

1975.................................................
1976.................................................
1977.................................................
1978.................................................
1979.................................................

83.9
84.8
84.6
84.8
85.9

1980.................................................
1981.................................................
1982.................................................
1983.................................................
1984.................................................

85.5
82.8
79.5
80.3
82.5

1985.................................................
1986.................................................
1987.................................................
1988.................................................

83.5
80.2
82.5
84.2

1967-73 average.........................................
1973-88 average.........................................

94.1
85.8

Monthly Labor Review May 1993

37

Multifactor Productivity in Utility Services

Chart 1. Output, total input, and multifactor productivity in utility services industries, 1948-88

1948

1953

1958

1963

1968

1973

1978

1983

1988

Chart 2. Growth in input quantities before and after 1973
Compound annual
growth rate

Compound annual
growth rate

8

8
1948-73

1973-88

-2

------------1--------------------- 1--------------------- 1--------------------- 1______________ I______________ l
Capital
Labor
Energy
Materials
Services
All inputs

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6.2 percent annually, capital input growth fell
by only 1.9 percent per year. This difference
may be explained by the nature of capital in­
vestment in the public utilities industry. Capi­
tal stock is extremely inflexible for utilities. In­
vestment in electricity-generating plants, gas
pipelines, and sewer lines must begin years
ahead of desired completion. Once built, these
structures may last for several decades. When
demand falls short of expectations, capital in­
put is adjusted in the short run by decreasing
the use of existing capital, rather than by re­
ducing the level of capital stock or expendi­
tures on future capital. For example, slow eco­
nomic growth from 1973 to 1975 and from
1979 to 1983, combined with high electricity
and gas prices, resulted in depressed demand
for utility output after 1973. Meanwhile, in­
vestment initiated years earlier under condi­
tions of growing demand came to fruition and
expanded capacity. These two effects together
resulted in excess capacity, as illustrated in
table 3 (page 37).12
Excess capacity has important implications
for the interpretation of the slowdown in capi­
tal productivity after 1973. When capacity is
underutilized, the capital services input meas­
ure may overstate capital input.13 Output per
unit of capital would, in turn, be understated. If
the capital input measure does not fully capture
changing capacity utilization, then growth in
capital services input declined more than 1.9
percent per year after 1973, and the post-1973
slowdown in capital productivity is exagger­
ated.
Labor productivity growth in utility services
showed an even more pronounced drop than
did multifactor productivity, from an increase
of 6.2 percent per year before 1973 to a decline
of 0.2 percent per year for the 1973-88 period,
or a drop of 6.4 percent per year between the
two periods. Changes in output per hour were
similar to those in output, because the use of
labor accelerated slightly after 1973, while the
consumption of all other inputs slowed. How­
ever, it is important to remember that this
dropoff in output per hour is indicative of sub­
stitution effects among all inputs, as well as
other effects, and therefore does not attribute
poor productivity performance solely to labor.
A relationship between measures of labor
productivity and multifactor productivity can
be derived from the formula (1) used to com­
pute multifactor productivity growth.14
Changes in labor productivity may be ex­
pressed as the combination of multifactor pro­
ductivity growth and changes in the ratio of
each nonlabor input to labor. In table 4, the
post-1973 slowdown in labor productivity


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Table 4.

Portions of labor productivity growth attributable to multifac­
tor productivity growth and shifts in factor intensity, 1948-88

(Percent changes at compound annual rates)

Period

1948-88

Output
per hour
3.8

Contributions from—
Multifactor
Productivity
2.4

QKIL

OEJL

QM/L

QS/L

0.9

0.2

0.0

0.2

1948-73 (a )..............
1973-88 (b)..............

6.2
-.2

3.6
.4

1.4
.3

.5
- .4

.3
-.5

.4
.0

Change ( b - a ) ................

-6 .4

-3 .2

-1.1

-.9

-.8

- .4

Note: Q = quantity; K = capital input; L = labor input; E = energy Input; M = materials Input;
S = purchased business services input.

growth is explained in terms of multifactor
productivity growth and contributions of fac­
tor intensities.15During the 1948-73 period, all
of the nonlabor inputs grew relative to labor
and thus enhanced labor productivity growth.
However, multifactor productivity growth of
3.6 percent per year outweighed all of these
factor intensity effects (2.6 percent per year
combined). By the same token, half of the
dropoff of 6.4 percent per year in output per
hour growth after 1973 is attributed to the
slowdown in multifactor productivity. The
falling rate of growth in the capital-to-labor ra­
tio was associated with 1.1 percent per year of
the decrease in output per hour growth. And
declines in the ratios of both energy and mate­
rials to labor contributed another quarter of
the slowdown in labor productivity growth.
Table 1 shows that energy productivity
growth accelerated 0.2 percent per year after
1973, while all other single-factor productivity
growth rates decreased. (See chart 3.) This
may have been due to the rapid increase in the
price of fossil fuels, which provided an incen­
tive to economize in their use. From 1973 to
1988, the price of energy inputs increased 11.0
percent per year, and the consumption of ener­
gy inputs by utilities slowed more after 1973
than that of any other input. (See chart 2.) The
cost share of energy input doubled, despite the
slowdown in energy consumption of 6.3 per­
cent per year after 1973.
Growth in output per unit of materials input
fell from 3.6 percent per year for the 1948-73
period to 1.9 percent per year during 1973-88,
but this figure was still the highest productivity
growth rate of any input in the post-1973 peri­
od. Materials prices increased 13.1 percent an­
nually after 1973, due primarily to the price of
natural gas, which accounts for two-thirds of
materials input purchases. (See chart 4.) The
large increase in materials prices led to a rise in
the cost share of materials, from 12 percent
Monthly Labor Review May 1993

39

Multifactor Productivity in Utility Services

Chart 3. Growth in single-factor productivities and multifactor productivity before and after 1973
Compound annual

Compound annual

growth rate

growth rate

8

8
1948-73
mm

mÈ

1973-88

H 6

m
-2

O utput per

Output per

Output per

Output per

O utput per

Multifactor

unit of capital

unit of labor

unit of energy

unit of materials

unit of services

productivity

Chart 4. Growth in input prices before and after 1973
Compound annual

Compound annual

growth rate

growth rate

14

14

Capital

Labor

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Energy

Materials

Services

All inputs

during 1948-73 to 18 percent for the 1973-88
period, even though the annual growth rate of
materials use fell 4.4 percent after 1973, to -0.3
percent per year.
Of all single-factor inputs, business services
showed the least improvement in productivity
over the study period, 0.6 percent per year.
Average increases of 0.9 percent annually
from 1948 to 1973 were not sustained after
1973, when the growth rate fell to an average
of 0.1 percent per year. (See chart 3.) Because
the share of services in total factor cost was
only 8 percent, this backslide did not contrib­
ute significantly to the slowdown in multifac­
tor productivity.
Summary and conclusions
The BLS project presented in this article devel­
oped indexes of total output and five major in­
puts for utility services industries, which are
used to compute an index of multifactor pro­
ductivity. The annual rate of change in the
multifactor productivity index for the 1948-88
period was 2.4 percent per year. Results for the
periods before and after 1973 are also reported
and reveal a multifactor productivity slow­
down of 3.2 percent per year. Single-factor
productivity statistics show large slowdowns
in both labor and capital productivity for pub­
lic utilities. Energy productivity grew an aver­
age 1.3 percent per year throughout the
1948-88 period and was unique in its improve­
ment from the pre-1973 to the post-1973 peri­
od. Although materials productivity growth
slowed after 1973, at 1.9 percent per year it ex­
ceeded all other single-factor productivities
during the post-1973 period.
Rates of growth in the quantities and prices
of inputs and output are presented and provide
insight into the continued growth in energy
and materials productivity. Energy consump­
tion grew 6.5 percent per year, on average,
from 1948 to 1973 and then leveled off. Materi­
als input use increased 4.1 percent annually
during the same period, but declined 0.3 per­
cent per year thereafter. Meanwhile, consump­
tion of all other inputs continued to grow in the
post-1973 period, which suggests that other in­
puts were substituted for energy and materials
after 1973. This is not surprising, given the
growth in the prices of those two inputs: 11.0
percent per year for energy and 13.1 percent
per year for materials during 1973-88.
Analysis of the two components of materials
input revealed that output per unit of nongas
materials fell off dramatically after 1973, while
productivity of natural gas used as a material


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input improved.16 Natural gas accounts for
about two-thirds of materials expense, so in­
creasing fossil fuel prices after 1973 may have
had a positive impact on the efficiency with
which natural gas is transported, similar to the
improvement in energy productivity, repre­
senting fossil fuels that are burned.
Capital is found to account for a much larg­
er share in total factor income than any other
input, so that changes in capital input have a
bigger impact on multifactor productivity
than do proportionate changes in the other in­
puts. Therefore, the modest 2.4-percent rate of
growth in capital input from 1973 to 1988 was
a major cause of the productivity slowdown,
compared with the 1.6-percent growth
achieved in output.
The precipitous fall in labor productivity
growth of 6.4 percent per year from the
pre-1973 period to the post-1973 period can be
mathematically attributed to changes in other
factors with respect to labor and to changes in
multifactor productivity. The slowdown in
output per hour coincided with slower growth
in the capital-to-labor ratio and with absolute
declines in the intensity of energy and materi­
als inputs relative to labor. Half of the labor
productivity slowdown is associated with de­
clining multifactor productivity growth.
The measure of multifactor productivity
presented in this article describes the relation­
ship between real output and five major inputs
involved in its production. Changes in this re­
lationship, and thus in multifactor productiv­
ity, reflect the joint effects of many influences,
including new technology, economies of scale,
and changes in the efforts and characteristics
of the work force. These effects are not meas­
ured separately here, but previous studies sug­
gest that economies of scale are responsible for
some of the increases in multifactor productiv­
ity in the electric utility industry.
Laurits Christensen and William Greene
analyzed firm-level data for private electric uti­
lities for the years 1955 and 1970.17Focusing
only on generation of electricity, they found
that “in 1955 there were significant scale econ­
omies available to nearly all firms. By 1970,
however, a large share of total electric power
was generated by firms which had exhausted
scale economies.”18 Frank Gollop and Mark
Roberts examined all operations of a subset of
these same private electric utilities for the peri­
od 1958 to 1975 and concluded that there were
scale economies available throughout their
sample.19They pointed out that this is not in­
consistent with the findings of Christensen and
Greene, because, “while economies in generaMonthly Labor Review May 1993

41

Multifactor Productivity in Utility Services
tion may well be exhausted at a relatively small
scale of operation, engineering considerations
suggest that significant economies persist in
both transmission and distribution.”20
It is likely that scale economies are also asso­
ciated with the transmission and distribution
of natural gas. The fact that the price of natural
gas for industrial use is much less than that for
commercial or residential use implies that dis­
tribution costs decrease as consumption per
customer increases. Historically, quantities of
gas used by customers within each consumer
category have increased, reducing distribution
costs for the same reasons that industrial serv­
ice costs less than residential service at a given
point in time. Serving growing numbers of cus­

tomers may also provide opportunities to ex­
ploit scale economies.
Economies of scale have probably been real­
ized by the utility services industries during
part or all of the 1948-88 period. However, the
framework within which multifactor produc­
tivity is measured in this article assumes con­
stant returns to scale. Because of this assump­
tion, multifactor productivity measures reflect
scale effects, along with other sources of pro­
ductivity growth. If, as some empirical evi­
dence suggests, multifactor productivity bene­
fited more from scale economies in the
pre-1973 period than in the post-1973 period,
this would explain part of the slowdown in its
rate of growth.21
□

Footnotes
1 The utility services industries are classified in Standard
Industrial Classification (sic) major industry group 49
and are engaged in the generation, transmission, and distri­
bution of electricity; transmission and distribution (but not
production) of natural gas; distribution of water; and col­
lection and disposal of waste. Government-owned utilities
are excluded from the new measure to maintain consisten­
cy with the BLS measure of multifactor productivity for the
private business sector. See Executive Office of the Presi­
dent, Office of Management and Budget, S t a n d a r d I n d u s ­
tr ia l C la s s ific a tio n M a n u a l (Washington, U.S. Govern­
ment Printing Office, 1987), p. 237.
2 Indexes of output per hour and related measures for gas
and electric utilities (SIC’s 491, 492, and 493) appear in
P r o d u c tiv ity M e a s u r e s f o r S e le c te d I n d u s tr ie s a n d G o v e r n ­
m e n t S e r v ic e s, Bulletin 2406 (Bureau of Labor Statistics,

April 1992).
3 This figure is the change in the rate of growth in output
per hour worked from the 1948-73 period (2.5 percent per
year) to the 1973-88 period (0.8 percent per year).
4 A n n u a l E n e r g y R e v ie w , 1 9 9 0 (Department of Energy,
May 1991), Table 4, pp. 11-12. Data reflect the entire elec­
tric utility industry.
5A BLS m e a su re o f m u ltifa c to r p ro d u c tiv ity in th e r a il­
ro a d tra n s p o rta tio n in d u s try , a lso in th e services sec to r,
a p p e a rs in P r o d u c tiv ity M e a s u r e s f o r S e le c te d I n d u s tr ie s
a n d G o v e r n m e n t S e r v ic e s.

6 This definition of outputs and inputs in terms of trans­
actions outside the sector will ultimately allow compari­
sons of productivity measures for different levels of aggre­
gation, using a method proposed in E. D. Domar, “On the
Measurement of Technical Change,” E c o n o m ic J o u r n a l,
Vol. LXXI (December 1961), pp. 709-29. The definitions
are consistent with the study of multifactor productivity in
two-digit SIC manufacturing industries by William Gullickson and Michael Harper, “Multifactor productivity in
U.S. manufacturing, 1949-83,” M o n th ly L a b o r R e v ie w ,
October 1987, pp. 18-28.
7 This is the way construction is handled by the Bureau
of Economic Analysis of the Department of Commerce in
its input-output analysis.
8A Tornqvist index is a discrete approximation to a Divisia index. W. E. Diewert has demonstrated (’’Exact and
Superlative Index Numbers,” J o u r n a l o f E c o n o m e tr ic s ,
Vol. 4, No. 4, 1976, pp. 115-45) that the Tornqvist index is
a “superlative index number formula,” which means that it
gives an accurate aggregate under fairly general condi­
tions. According to Diewert, the Tornqvist index is “ex­

42 Monthly Labor Review May 1993

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act” for a translogarithmic production function. In that
case, sectoral output (Y) is produced at time t using inputs
of capital (K ), labor (L), energy (E ), materials (M), and
purchased business services (£); that is,
Y = f ( K , L , E , M ,S , t ) .

For further discussion of the multifactor productivity
model, see T r e n d s in M u ltif a c to r P r o d u c tiv ity , 1 9 4 8 - 8 1 ,
Bulletin 2178 (Bureau of Labor Statistics, September
1983), pp. 33-34.
9 The multifactor productivity index may also be com­
puted as the ratio of the index of sectoral output to the in­
dex of aggregate input, or Y / I .
10 The use of Tornqvist aggregation of outputs is consist­
ent with a model of joint production in which “representa­
tive firms” choose how much of each output to produce
based on maximization of profit, given exogenous output
prices and a “transformation function.” The properties of
transformation functions are analyzed in W.E. Diewert,
“Functional Forms for Profit and Transformation Func­
tions,” J o u r n a l o f E c o n o m ic T h e o r y , 1973, Vol. 6, pp.
284-316.
11 Output of water companies and companies offering
other sanitary services is based on receipts data, which do
not involve Tornqvist aggregation.
12 See Federal Reserve System, Division of Research and
Statistics, C a p a c ity U tiliz a tio n , M a n u fa c tu r in g , M in in g ,
a n d U tilitie s a n d I n d u s tr i a l M a te r ia ls , J a n u a r y 1 9 6 7 -D e ­

(Washington, Board of Governors of the Fed­
eral Reserve System, July 1985); and I n d u s tr i a l P r o d u c tio n
a n d C a p a c ity U tiliz a tio n (Washington, Board of Gover­
nors of the Federal Reserve System, monthly press re­
leases, June 1985-May 1989).
13 The capital input measure used here is a weighted ag­
gregate of capital assets, where the weights are implicit
rental prices of these assets. In the traditional framework
for the measurement of multifactor productivity, capital
inputs are assumed to be fully utilized, allowing capital
stocks to be used as proxies for the flow of capital services.
When the assumption of full capacity utilization does not
hold, capital stock may no longer be a valid proxy for capi­
tal services. Two studies addressing this issue are Ernst
Berndt and Melvyn Fuss, “Productivity Measurement
with Adjustments for Variations in Capacity Utilization
and Other Forms of Temporary Equilibrium,” and
Charles Hulten, “Productivity Change, Capacity Utiliza­
tion, and the Sources of Efficiency Growth,” both of which
cem ber 1 984

appeared in the J o u r n a l o f E c o n o m e tric s , Vol. 33,
Oct.-Nov. 1986. These analyses show that variations in ca­
pacity utilization are captured in multifactor productivity
measures through the use of an ex post rental price in the
weight on capital input. The ex post rental price of capital
would decrease when capacity was underutilized, and,
compared with the traditional measure, multifactor pro­
ductivity growth would be increased. Since the Bureau
uses an ex post procedure in computing the rental price of
capital, the effect of variations in capacity utilization on the
capital or multifactor productivity measures may, to some
extent, already have been captured. For further discussion,
see Susan Powers, C y c lic a l M o v e m e n ts in b l s M u ltifa c to r
P r o d u c tiv ity M e a s u r e s a n d C a p a c ity U tiliz a tio n , Working
Paper 198 (Bureau of Labor Statistics, August 1989).
14 Starting with
Ain A = A In Y - vv^Aln K - w^A InL
- vv^Aln E - w^Aln M- w^Aln S,
to both sides we add Ain Y , subtract Ain A, and multiply
by -1 to obtain
Ain 7 = A In A + vv^Aln K + w^Aln L
+ W£ Ain E + w^/Aln M + vvyAln S.
Subtracting Ain L(in the form ( w r + w l + w e + w m +
u>s) Ain L , with ( w r + W [ + w e + w m + uis) equal to 1 on
the right side) yields
A l n 7 - A l n L = Al n A + w%Ain K

+ w^Aln L + w^Aln E +
+ w^A In S - (w% +

Ain M

+ W£ + w/^ + wj) A In L,

or
Ain 7 - A InL = A In A + w^(Aln K - Ain L)
+ w£ (Aln E - Ain L) + wM(Aln A/ - A In L)
+ ws (A In 5 - A In L),

APPENDIX:

Data sources and methods

F ollow ing are discussions of th e data and m ethods
used to develop indexes o f each major input and
each type of output. In som e instances, data for
m ore than one three-digit industry must be pro­
cessed together, and th e m ethodology is presented
join tly.1 F or exam ple, the best available data on
electricity sales include sales of electricity by com bi­
nation electric and gas com panies. Sim ilarly, sales
o f gas by com bination utilities are included in the
data on gas sales. Thus, measures developed sepa­
rately for electric utilities and gas utilities, when
sum m ed, encom pass s i c industries 491 through
493. In general, n o problem is presented by source
data th at overlap three-digit industries, because
such data are aggregated to the tw o-digit level.

Output measures
In 1988, th e value of sectoral output for privately
ow ned utilities w as approxim ately $200 billion.
Seventy percent ($140 billion) was accounted for by
electricity services, 20 percent ($40 billion) by gas
services, and 10 percent ($20 billion) by all other
utility services com bined.
E lectric services.


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where the left side is equivalent to labor productivity
growth and the terms on the right side represent multifac­
tor productivity growth and changes in the ratios of each
nonlabor factor to labor multiplied by that factor’s average
share in income.
15 The contributon of a factor’s intensity to growth in
output per hour is defined as the factor’s cost share times
the growth rate of the ratio of the factor’s quantity to labor
hours. This is not a causal explanation of growth in output
per hour, as noted by Michael Harper and William Gullickson in “Cost Function Models and Accounting for
Growth in U.S. Manufacturing, 1949-86,” presented at the
National Bureau of Economic Research Summer Institute,
July 24-28, 1989.
16 The rate of growth in productivity of natural gas used
as a material increased from 2.0 percent per year in the
1948-73 period to 4.8 percent per year during 1973-88.
Productivity growth of other materials fell from 5.0 per­
cent per year prior to 1973 to -3.0 percent per year in the
post-1973 period.
17Laurits Christensen and William Greene, “Economies
of Scale in U.S. Electric Power Generation,” J o u r n a l o f P o ­
litic a l E c o n o m y , Vol. 84 (August 1976), pp. 655-76.
18Christensen and Greene, “Economies of Scale,” p.
656.
19 Frank Gollop and Mark Roberts, “The Sources of
Economic Growth in the U.S. Electric Power Industry,” in
Thomas Cowing and Rodney Stevenson, eds., P r o d u c tiv ity
M e a s u r e m e n t in R e g u la te d I n d u s tr ie s (New York, Aca­
demic Press, 1981), pp. 107-43.
20Gollop and Roberts, “Sources of Economic Growth,”
p. 127 (footnote 23).
21 Gollop and Roberts, ib id ., p. 140, estimated that, for
selected electric utilities, the average annual change in pro­
ductivity growth due to scale economies was 1.8 percent
from 1958 to 1973 and -0.1 percent during the 1973-75
period.

E lectricity output is measured in

kilow atthours. Because the utilities are engaged in
distribution as well as generation of electricity, out­
put is based on kilow atthours sold to ultim ate co n ­
sum ers, not kilow atthours generated. A lth ou gh
electricity would seem to be h om ogeneous, consider­
ation of the distributive service reveals differences in
th e product provided to various types of custom ers.
In m any cases, industrial cu stom ers receive larger
am ounts o f electricity at higher voltage, and there­
fore low er unit cost, than do residential custom ers;
th e unit cost of distribution is inversely related to the
quantity supplied. For this reason, m ost electric u ti­
lities em ploy a rate structure distinguishing several
classes of service. In the aggregation of electric serv­
ices output, kilow atthours sold to each class o f serv­
ice are weighted by the price of th at service, in order
to value the several types of output according to their
relative unit costs.
T he cost of generating electricity at a given plant
varies w ith the tim e of day and season of the year. It
is generally higher during a peak load period, pri­
m arily because equipm ent th at is less efficient due to
age or because it requires a m ore expensive type of
fuel m ay be called into service. Industrial custom ers
are som etim es able to pay low er rates by scheduling
work to take advantage of offpeak prices, but resi-

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43

Multifactor Productivity in Utility Services
dential custom ers are n ot generally offered this op­
tion and, in any event, cannot schedule consum p­
tion to take advantage o f such discounts. This
source of disparity between the average prices paid
by residential and industrial custom ers is also re­
flected in the output series, via sm aller price w eights
applied to industrial consum ption. Sim ilarly, low er
rates resulting from long-term contracts are cap ­
tured in th e output m easure.2
The price-weighted electric services output m eas­
ure reflects variable distribution costs, as well as rate
differences am ong classes o f service th at are related
to the cost of generation of electricity. T he measure
prevents bias in productivity m easures due to
changes in the distribution of sales am ong classes of
service. F or exam ple, if output were defined as un­
weighted kilow atthour sales, productivity gains
w ould be inferred incorrectly if consum ption shifted
tow ard th e low -cost industrial service.3
The developm ent o f output is m ade possible by
excellent source data. The Energy Inform ation A d ­
m inistration of the D epartm ent o f E nergy publishes
electricity sales and revenues by class o f service for
“selected investor-ow ned electric u tilities.”4 T hese
data cover practically all of the privately owned
electric utility industry, w ith w hich w e are co n ­
cerned. C ooperatively ow ned electricity production
is reported by the D epartm ent o f A griculture’s R u ­
ral E lectrification A dm inistration and is used to
supplem ent the D epartm ent of Energy data.5
Purchases o f electricity by Federal and m unicipal
electric utilities from private electric utilities should
be included in output. H ow ever, these transactions
are excluded therefrom in this study, along w ith
sales betw een private electric utilities, because sales
for resale are reported in total by the D epartm ent of
Energy. R elated published data indicate th at in
1985, these sales were at m ost 6.4 m illion m egaw atthours of the 337.1 m illion m egaw atthours sold for
resale by private utilities.

Gas p roduction a n d distribution. B y definition,
gas utility services include the transm ission, stor­
age, and distribution o f all gas, as well as the pro­
duction o f manufactured, m ixed, and liquefied pe­
troleum gas.6 A s a statistical matter, gas services
output is approxim ated by gas sales to ultim ate c o n ­
sum ers. N atural gas sales currently account for 99
percent o f all gas sales to final consum ers and are
therefore virtually equal to output. D uring 1947,
th e figure was 87 percent, w ith m anufactured gas
accounting for 8 percent and m ixed gas for 5 percent
of sales. H ow ever, by 1955, m anufactured gas pro­
duction was less than 1 percent of output, and the
share of natural gas had clim bed to 95 percent. The
rem ainder was m ixed gas, production o f w hich
plum m eted shortly thereafter. Liquefied petroleum
gas has never been im portant statistically in aggre­
gate industry data.
It is th e distributive aspect o f gas service that
gives rise to the large differences in rates facing vari­
ous categories of custom ers; gas utilities have not
produced substantial am ounts o f gas for decades.

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A s in th e case o f electric utility service, th e quantity
of sales in each category is w eighted by its revenues,
yielding an index o f output that recognizes the dif­
ferent costs o f distribution. Sales and revenue data
for residential, com m ercial, industrial, and other
custom ers for the period 1947-89 are available
through th e A m erican G as A ssociation .7
Because the gas output series is but a constituent
o f a sectoral output series for all utility services,
sales o f gas to electric utilities m ust be rem oved
from output. Sales o f gas for the generation of elec­
tricity, together w ith corresponding revenues, are
included in th e “industrial” and “oth er” categories
o f the A m erican G as A ssociation data. T h ey are
also reported separately and so m ay be deducted
from these categories of sales and revenues prior to
aggregation o f output. A n alogou sly to the case of
electricity output, purchases o f gas by publicly
ow ned electric utilities should be included in ou t­
put, but are rem oved along w ith th e m uch larger
am ounts o f gas sold to privately ow ned electric u tili­
ties.
G as sold by m unicipally ow ned gas com panies is
included in the source data and m ust also be re­
m oved from output to be consistent w ith the restric­
tion o f this m easure to privately ow ned utilities.
D ata on recent sales and revenues are reported by
type o f ow nership in Gas Facts, and additional data
are available from the A m erican G as A ssociation.
D ata on m unicipal gas sales have been provided for
1974 through 1989 and corresponding revenues
from 1980 forw ard. Prior to 1974, m unicipal gas
sales could be derived by deducting sales by private
gas com panies from sales by all gas com panies.
M oreover, th e details by class o f cu stom er during
1974-84 revealed that the distribution o f total m u­
n icipal gas sales am ong the four service classes was
nearly constant over the period. The total m unicipal
sales in each year from 1948 to 1973 were distrib­
uted on the basis of the average percent distribution
from 1974 to 1984. Finally, sales by class of service
were m ultiplied by the average price of all gas sales
by class, and both sales and revenues of th e m unici­
pal gas com panies were subtracted from output.
Ideally, electricity and gas sales to privately
ow ned com panies dealing in water and sanitary ser­
vices w ould be excluded from th e output m easure.
D ata for private com panies are n ot reported sepa­
rately from sales to publicly ow ned firm s, w hich ac­
cou n t for a large m ajority of such transactions.8
E lectricity and gas consum ed by private water and
sanitary services com panies is n ot d educted, but the
overstatem ent o f output is insignificant. F or exam ­
ple, th e to ta l water and sanitary services industry
consum ption of electricity and gas o f $12.7 m illion
in 1972 was just 0.03 percent o f the $37,446 billion
in sectoral output o f the private utilities services in ­
dustry.9

W a te r su p p ly a n d sa n ita ry services. T he Internal
R evenue Service publishes estim ated business re­
ceipts by corporations for w ater, sanitary services,
steam , and irrigation services (s ic industries 494
th rough 4 9 7 ).10 A ctually, data for 1947 through

1957 cover w ater services only, but all of the p reced­
ing are reflected in data from 1958 to 1988. T he data
are based on in com e tax returns of a sam ple o f cor­
porations th at changes from year to year. Similar
treatm ent is given to returns by partnerships and
sole proprietors, but th e results are n ot reported
separately for water and sanitary services. These
current-dollar receipts data are deflated using the
im plicit price deflator for private consum ption of
water and sanitary services developed by th e Bu­
reau o f E con om ic A n alysis.11 The constant-dollar
revenue series is then indexed and used to com plete
the aggregation o f total utility services output. The
Internal R evenue Service data do n ot perm it sub­
traction o f intraindustry consum ption of water and
other sanitary services. H ow ever, in 1972, electric
and gas utilities purchased less than 1 percent o f wa­
ter and other sanitary services output.12

Input measures
C apital in p u t. Capital input is defined as th e flow
of services from the capital stock and is assum ed to
be proportional to that stock. U tility industry capi­
tal stock includes equipm ent, structures, and land.
D ata on investm ent in these capital assets are pub­
lished by th e Bureau o f E conom ic A nalysis for sev­
eral tw o-digit s i c industries, including s ic 4 9 .13 The
Bureau o f Labor Statistics has developed capital
stock measures for the depreciable assets (equip­
m ent and structures) o f these industries by applying
th e perpetual inventory m ethod to the Bureau of
E conom ic A nalysis investm ent data. This m ethod
involves th e assum ption that the efficiency o f assets
deteriorates w ith age. In particular, it is assum ed
that efficiency declines slow ly in the early years of
an asset’s life and m ore rapidly later on. Inventories
are based on estim ates from the Bureau o f E con om ­
ic A nalysis. Land is estim ated as described in an u n ­
published b l s m anuscript.14
Source data for 17 distinct types o f capital assets
contribute to th e capital stock measure for s ic 49.
Stocks of the several assets are com bined using
w eights derived from estim ates of im plicit rental
p rices—th e prices th at the various types of capital
w ould bring on a hypothetical rental m arket. T hese
rental price estim ates are calculated as th e rate of
return on the assets, plus the rate o f depreciation,
m inus capital gains, all in nom inal term s. Tornqvist
aggregation over th e individual assets yields a quan­
tity index and price series for real capital input that
m ay be used in th e m ultifactor fram ew ork .15
L a b o r in p u t. T he unit of m easure o f labor input is
the paid hour. In this study, no attem pt is m ade to
adjust for changes in labor com position. The scope
o f labor input is lim ited to operations and m ainte­
nance workers, w ith the intention o f excluding any
labor devoted to new construction. T his is con sist­
ent w ith th e definition o f output as sales by utilities,
rather than a broader concep t that includes struc­
tures com pleted or in progress. Studies o f m ultifac­
tor productivity grow th are thereby confined to the


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prim ary function of utilities, nam ely, the provision
o f electric, gas, water, or other services. T his is a sig­
nificant m atter in the electric utility industry, be­
cause a quarter of its em ployees are construction
workers. Thus, a desirable characteristic for source
data for labor input is that such data distinguish
these workers from the rest.
Sources of em ploym ent data for electric utilities
are the statistical yearbooks of E dison E lectric In ­
stitute and the R ural Electrification A dm inistra­
tion .16 The Edison Electric yearbook breaks out em ­
ploym ent data into operations, m aintenance, and
construction workers and covers 98 percent of pri­
vate industry. E dison Electric em ploym ent data ex­
tend back to 1951, and percent changes in em ploy­
m ent in s i c 491, available from the b l s establish­
m ent survey, were used to m ove the Edison E lectric
series from 1951 back to 1 9 47.17 The R ural E lectri­
fication A dm inistration reports only full-tim e em ­
ploym ent, and this series is added directly to the
Edison Electric series. Thus, it is assum ed that no
full-tim e construction w orkers are em ployed by R u ­
ral E lectrification A dm inistration borrowers.
The source data for em ploym ent in the gas utility
industry are n ot well suited to distinguishing co n ­
struction workers. E m ploym ent at private gas u tili­
ties is reported in Gas F acts, beginning in 1972.
C onstruction workers are included in th e total, but
are n ot reported separately. It was possible to ex­
tend this series back to 1947 using em ploym ent in
the total gas industry, w h ich is reported for the en­
tire study period by the A m erican G as A ssociation.
T his left th e matter of estim ating and subtracting
out construction labor. The A m erican G as A sso ci­
ation reports payroll data broken out into opera­
tions, construction, and m iscellaneous categories,
starting w ith 1971 for the investor-ow ned part of
the industry and w ith 1947 at the total industry lev­
e l.18 B y assum ing that w ages of gas utility construc­
tion workers are com petitive w ith those of th e co n ­
tract construction workers in s i c 162, w hich in ­
cludes the building of gas pipelines, an estim ate of
em ploym ent in the private gas utility construction
industry was derived back to 1972, th e first year for
w hich average w eekly earnings for s ic 162 are re­
ported by the Bureau o f Labor Statistics in E m p lo y ­
m e n t, H ours, a n d E arnings. Subtraction of this se­
ries from the total em ploym ent series yield s esti­
mated nonconstruction em ploym ent for 1972-89.
A n alternative estim ate of nonconstruction em ploy­
m ent was then calculated under th e assum ption that
construction workers in gas utilities earn th e aver­
age wage for the gas utilities industry. In this m an­
ner, total em ploym ent could be distributed betw een
the construction and nonconstruction parts of the
industry in the sam e proportion as payroll in the in­
dustry is distributed. The m ethod produced a series
th at m oves in the sam e direction as the first esti­
mated nonconstruction em ploym ent series in every
year. W e used m ovem ents in the latter series to
com plete the m easure of nonconstruction em ploy­
m ent in investor-ow ned gas utilities because that se­
ries covers a longer period than the other d oes.19
E m ploym ent in the other utility services, encom -

Monthly Labor Review May 1993

45

Multifactor Productivity in Utility Services
passing s ic industries 494 through 497, was found
as the residual of em ploym ent in s ic 49 less em ploy­
m ent in s i c industries 491 through 493. A ll o f the
required data appear in E m p lo y m e n t, H o u rs, a n d
E arnings, except for em ploym ent in s ic 492 and s ic
493 during 1947-49.20 Stable em ploym ent trends
during th e early 1950’s were utilized to estim ate em ­
p loym ent figures for the years 1947-49.21 In the ab­
sence o f evidence of construction labor in s i c ’s 494
through 497, it has been assum ed that there is none
there. E m ploym ent in s ic industries 494 through
497 is very sm all relative to that in electric and gas
utilities (about 10 percent, on average, o f the total
for s ic 49), so that a fairly stable proportion o f em ­
ployees devoted to construction would n ot signifi­
can tly affect the tw o-digit labor input trend.
E m ploym ent m ust be m ultiplied by average
w eekly hours and 52 weeks per year to find hours,
the unit of m easure o f labor input. E m p lo y m e n t,
H o u rs, a n d E a rn in g s also contains the data on aver­
age w eekly hours used in this article.22 A verage
w eekly hours of nonsupervisory workers are re­
ported by three-digit s ic industry, w ith data begin­
ning in 1947 for s ic 491 and in 1950 for s ic 492 and
s ic 493. These three industries com bined cover all
the private electric and gas utilities. Because the em ­
ploym ent data fo r electric and gas utilities were de­
veloped separately, and because s ic 492 includes
both electric and gas utilities, average w eekly hours
could n ot be applied at the three-digit level. There­
fore, an average w eekly hours series for s ic indus­
tries 491 through 493 com bined was derived.
A verage w eekly hours for s ic 491 through s ic
493 com bined were found by first m ultiplying aver­
age w eekly hours by em ploym ent in each industry,
where these data refer to nonsupervisory workers.
T hen th e results were sum m ed over the three indus­
tries. T he sum was subsequently divided by the sum
of nonsupervisory em ploym ent to get an average
w eekly hours figure for electric and gas utilities to ­
gether. It was n ecessary to assum e that average
w eekly hours in s ic 492 and s ic 493 were the sam e
in 1947-49 as th ey were in 1950. H ours in electric
and gas utilities are, then, the product of their
sum m ed em ploym ent, this com bined average week­
ly hours series, and 52 w eeks per year.
H ours for the rem aining industries in s i c 49 were
found as the residual of total em ployee hours in s ic
49 less total em ployee hours in s ic 491 through s ic
493. It was necessary to estim ate average w eekly
hours in s ic 49 for the 1947-57 period using fore­
casting m ethods and data at th e three-digit level.23
The hours series thus obtained for s ic 494 through
s ic 497 is based entirely on published data. U npub­
lished b l s data also perm it direct calculation of
hours for s i c industries 494 through 497 back to
1972. D ifferences betw een th e tw o alternative series
since 1972 are very sm all. Since the series estim ated
using published data would have to be used for
years prior to 1972 in an y case, it is used for the en­
tire 1947-89 period. T his series was then added to
the n onconstruction worker hours series fo r s i c 491
through s ic 493 to com plete the labor input series.
W eights for the labor input series are based on

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current-dollar paym ents to labor. The Bureau of
E conom ic A nalysis provides labor com pensation
data by tw o-digit industry wherein both w ages and
supplem ents to w ages contribute to total com pensa­
tion .24 T otal labor com pensation is appropriate for
use in th e m ultifactor productivity fram ew ork, to
account for all costs o f production. A fter the labor
input series is indexed, com pensation in current dol­
lars is divided by th e index to get the corresponding
series of prices.
E n erg y in p u t. Electric utilities accounted for 85
percent o f expenditures on energy input by s i c in­
dustry group 49 in 1960, 90 percent in 1970, and 92
percent in 1980. Energy input to electric utilities
consists prim arily o f fossil fuels burned to drive
electricity-generating plants. E lectric utilities also
produce electricity from water and wind and from
solar and geotherm al power. A ccordingly, these are
energy inputs, too. On the other hand, electricity is
produced using nuclear fuel, yet nuclear fuel is in ­
cluded in capital input. The reason is that the long
useful life of this energy source, about 5 years, sug­
gests treating it as a depreciable capital asset.
The fossil fuels used to generate electricity are
coal, oil, and gas. The treatm ent of coal and oil in ­
put is straightforward: the quantities consum ed and
prices paid for these tw o fuels by the electric utilities
are incorporated into aggregate energy input. T ech­
nically, gas purchases by electric utilities from gas
pipeline com panies and gas distributors are ex­
cluded from energy input because these are intraindustry transactions. H ow ever, these am ounts o f gas
are properly included in energy input as interindus­
try sales from s ic 13 to s i c 49. Therefore, th e quan­
tity of gas consum ed by electric utilities is included
in energy input, but valued at the price paid to the
gas producers in s ic industry 13.
The E nergy Inform ation A dm inistration of the
D epartm ent of Energy is able to provide data on
quantities of coal, oil, and natural gas consum ed by
privately ow ned electric utilities from 1970 on .25
These three series were extended back to 1947, based
on closely related inform ation available in the Edi­
son Electric Institute statistical yearbook.26 There,
one finds data on the consum ption of fossil fuels by
all electric utilities for the entire period of th e study.
Quantities o f electricity generated, by type o f ow ner­
ship and by type of prim e m over driving th e genera­
tor, are also reported back to 1947. This article uses
electricity generation driven b y conventional (as op­
posed to nuclear) steam engines and turbines and by
internal com bustion engines, because these are the
prim e m overs that consum e fossil fuels. The data
were utilized as follow s: th e ratio o f fossil fuel-pow ­
ered generation at private electric utilities to that at
all electric utilities was m ultiplied by the con su m p ­
tion of each fossil fuel by all electric utilities, giving
estim ated private fuel consum ption. Estim ated val­
ues for 1970-88 were com pared w ith actual fuel con ­
sum ption data provided by the Energy Inform ation
A dm inistration, and the ratio of actual to estim ated
consum ption of each fu el in 1970 was used to scale
the estim ated series prior to 1970.

Current-dollar costs are calculated for coal and
oil as the product of consum ption and average
prices paid by electric utilities. The quantities of gas
used are valued at the price originally paid to the
producers o f th e gas by th e pipeline com panies. This
price is available from 1958 on, and before that, the
price o f all m arketed production serves as a good
proxy. Price data are published in M o n th ly E n erg y
R eview by the D epartm ent o f E nergy.27
N atural gas that is transported through gas pipe­
lines and utilities to final consum ers outside s i c 49 is
included in materials input, not energy input. But
th e sm aller am ounts used by the utilities them selves
are energy input. N atural gas used for the purpose
o f generating electricity is discussed above. G as is
also used by gas utilities in the operation o f pipe­
lines, prim arily for com pressors, and must be in­
cluded in fuel input. N a tu r a l Gas A n n u a l reports the
am ounts o f gas used for this purpose from 1947 on
and corresponding prices from 1967 on.28 Here
again, the price of marketed production is used from
1947 to 1957. The price of pipeline fuel from 1958 to
1966 is reported in the N a tio n a l E n erg y A ccounts
D a ta B ase, available from th e D epartm ent o f C om ­
m erce.29 This is also the source o f data on prices and
quantities for other fossil fuel consum ption by elec­
tric and gas utilities, such as gasoline for cars and
trucks, and for water and geotherm al pow er used by
electric utilities.30
Energy input for the rem aining u tility services in­
dustries is provided in th e N a tio n a l E n erg y A c ­
counts D a ta B ase.31 T he data are organized prim ari­
ly by Bureau of E conom ic A nalysis input-output in ­
dustry, but a single industry classification —water
supply and sanitary services—corresponds to s ic in ­
dustries 494 through 497. T he substantial detail de­
scribes how each o f several types o f fuel was used;
the quantities used, in p h y sica l units; and the cost,
in both current and constant dollars. E ight different
petroleum products are Tornqvist aggregated to get
th e fuel input to s ic industries 494 through 497.
H ow ever, the N a tio n a l E n erg y A ccounts D ata
B ase reflects energy consum ption by both private
and governm ent water and sanitary services provid­
ers, the m ajority being governm ent. It is therefore
necessary to adjust this com ponent o f energy input.
T he ratio o f em ploym ent by private water and sani­
tary services com panies to em ploym ent at all water
and sanitary services com panies is taken as an indica­
tor of the portion of energy consum ption attributable
to the private firm s. T he developm ent of data on pri­
vate em ploym ent based on published b l s data has
been described previously. D ata on governm ent em ­
ploym ent in water and sanitary services are available
from the Bureau of the Census.32 The ratio of private
to total em ploym ent increases throughout the
1958-88 period, from 11 percent to 26 percent. The
ratio series is multiplied by th e price series for energy
consum ed by all water and sanitary services com p an ­
ies. The index of the quantity of energy consum ed by
all water and sanitary services com panies is retained,
w hile price and, therefore, total cost are adjusted to a
level consistent w ith services provided by private
firm s, as suggested by em ploym ent figures.


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D ata from the N a tio n a l E n erg y A cc o u n ts D ata
B ase are currently available for 1958 through 1985.
The ratio of energy co st including these data to en­
ergy co st excluding them in 1958 was m ultiplied by
the energy cost for electric and gas utilities from
1947 to 1957 to estim ate total energy costs. Sim ilar­
ly, the ratio in 1985 was applied in the period
1986-88. The adjustm ent is necessary to give energy
input th e appropriate w eight in the aggregation of
total input. It does n ot affect the energy input quan­
tity index during th e years 1947-57 or 1986-88, but
is reflected in th e series of energy input prices.
M aterials in p u t. M aterials input is developed in
tw o parts: natural gas used as a m aterial rather than a
fuel and all nongas m aterials. T hese com ponents are
com bined to get total m aterials input. The natural
gas used as a m aterial input accounts for th e m ajority
of materials input co st and, therefore, dom inates
m ovem ents in th e total series. T his is especially true
after 1973, due to the increased price o f natural gas.
G as purchased by s i c 49 is included in fuel input
only if it is burned to produce heat or pow er. G as
destined for final consum ption outside s ic 49 be­
longs in the m aterials input m easure. Thus, gas used
as m aterials input is equal to gas acquired by gas u ti­
lities, plus net w ithdraw als o f gas previously stored,
less am ounts consum ed w ithin s ic 49. T he A m eri­
can G as A ssociation provides all of th e quantity
data used in the calculation o f gas m aterials input.33
These data are consistent w ith th e association’s
sales data, w hich are the basis for gas utility output
data. F rom the total supply of gas utilities, w hich
includes net w ithdraw als from storage, the am ount
of gas used as a fuel by electric utilities and by gas
utilities is subtracted.34 A m ou n ts of gas ultim ately
sold to m unicipal gas com panies are also sub­
tracted, w hich is consistent w ith rem oval of m unici­
pal sales from output. Price series that are precisely
applicable to each of th e quantity series or other,
proxy price series are published by th e D epartm ent
of E nergy.35
The quantity and cost series for nongas materials
are constructed on the basis o f a series of annual in ­
put-output tables developed by b l s , using tables
from th e Bureau o f E con om ic A nalysis as bench­
m arks.36 Because th e b l s tables cover on ly 1947 and
the period 1958-88, it was n ecessary to interpolate
betw een 1947 and 1958. Current dollar co st data
were used to find shares in in com e in 1947 and for
1958 on, and th en in com e shares for 1948-57 were
interpolated using th e sim ple straight-line m ethod.
Quantities of each item included in m aterials were
interpolated for th e 1948-57 period. N ext, total
nongas m aterials were derived as a w eighted sum of
these estim ated quantities. T he w eights were based
on the estim ated current-dollar expenditures on
each item , derived by reflating th e estim ated quanti­
ties. P urchases of higher priced inputs are thereby
w eighted m ore heavily, as is appropriate fo r this
purpose. G row th rates in th e aggregate constantdollar series are used to derive quantity indexes, and
dividing these into current-dollar totals produces
series o f prices required for Tornqvist aggregation.

M o n t h l y L a b o r R e v ie w M a y 1 9 9 3

47

Multifactor Productivity in Utility Services
The indexes and price series for th e tw o parts o f
m aterials input are com bined prior to aggregation
of total input. Thus, the results presented above re­
fer to the com bined series.
B usiness services in p u t. The developm ent o f a se­
ries for business services input to s i c 49 is analogous

to that for n ongas m aterials. Services inputs show n
in th e b ls input-output tables are aggregated using
the sam e m ethods. D ata had to be estim ated for
1948-57, and this was done in the sam e way. A ggre­
gation o f services input differs from that o f nongas
m aterials input on ly in th e set of input-output in­
dustries w hose products are included.37

Footnotes to the appendix
I There are seven three-digit utility services industries:
491 Electric services
492 Gas production and distribution
493 Combination electric and gas,
and other utility services
494 Water supply
495 Sanitary services
496 Steam supply
497 Irrigation systems
2J. M. Gould, O u tp u t a n d P r o d u c tiv ity in th e E le c tr ic
a n d G a s U ti litie s : 1 8 9 9 - 1 9 4 2 (National Bureau of Econom­
ic Research, 1946).
3 Yoram Barzel, “Productivity in the Electric Power In­
dustry, 1929-1955,” R e v ie w o f E c o n o m ic s a n d S ta tis tic s ,
November 1963.
4 Energy Information Administration, Office of Coal,
Nuclear, Electric, and Alternate Fuels, S ta t is tic s o f P r i­
v a te ly O w n e d E le c tr ic U tilitie s (C la s s e s A a n d B C o m p a ­
n ie s ) (Washington, Department of Energy, published an­

nually).
5 “Composite Revenues, Number of Customers, and
Kilowatt-Hour Sales Reported by r e a Borrowers Operat­
ing Distribution Systems,” S ta tis tic a l R e p o r t, R u r a l E le c ­
tr ic B o rro w ers (Washington, Department of Agriculture,
Rural Electrification Administration). (See also technical
supplement.)
6 Executive Office of the President, S ta n d a r d I n d u s tr i a l
C la s s ific a tio n M a n u a l.

7American Gas Association, G a s F a c ts (New York,
American Gas Association, Inc., published annually).
8 In 1989, 85 percent of water utility operating expenses
were accounted for by publicly owned water utilities, ac­
cording to E n v ir o n m e n ta l I n v e s tm e n ts : T h e C o st o f a C le a n
E n v ir o n m e n t, Report of the Administrator of the Environ­
mental Protection Agency to the Congress of the United
States, EPA-230-11-90-083 (Washington, Environmental
Protection Agency, November 1990). Moreover, employ­
ment by private water and sanitary services companies
never accounted for more than one-quarter of total water
and sanitary services employment during the period of
study, based on the labor input series and data from Bureau
of the Census, P u b lic E m p lo y m e n t (Washington, Depart­
ment of Commerce, annual issues, 1959-88).
9 Bureau of Economic Analysis, T h e D e ta ile d I n p u tO u tp u t S tr u c tu r e o f th e U .S . E c o n o m y : 1 9 7 2 , V o lu m e I :
T h e U s e a n d M a k e o f C o m m o d itie s b y I n d u s tr ie s (Wash­

ington, Department of Commerce, 1979).
10 Internal Revenue Service, S ta tis tic s o f I n c o m e . . .
1 9 8 8 , C o rp o r a tio n I n c o m e T a x R e tu r n s (Washington, De­
partment of the Treasury, 1991).
II “Implicit Price Deflators for Personal Consumption
Expenditures by Product: Annually, 1929-76,” T h e N a ­
tio n a l I n c o m e a n d P r o d u c t A c c o u n ts o f th e U n ite d S ta te s ,
1 9 2 9 - 7 6 S ta tis tic a l T a b le s (Bureau of Economic Analysis,

September 1981), pp. 348-52; and “Implicit Price Defla­
tors for Personal Consumption Expenditures byProduct,”
S u r v e y o f C u r re n t B u s in e ss (Washington, Department of
Commerce, July issues, 1982-89).

48 Monthly Labor Review May 1993

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12 Bureau of Economic Analysis, T h e S tr u c tu r e o f th e
p. 163.
13 Bureau of Economic Analysis, “Fixed Private Capital
in the United States,” S u r v e y o f C u r r e n t B u s in e ss (Wash­
ington, Department of Commerce, July 1985), pp. 36-59.
14 Steven Rosenthal, P r o b le m s in th e M e a s u r e m e n t o f
U .S . E c o n o m y ,

Land.

15 See William Gullickson and Michael Harper, “Multi­
factor productivity in U.S. manufacturing, 1949-83,”
M o n th ly L a b o r R e v ie w , October 1987, pp. 18-28.
16 Edison Electric Institute, S ta tis tic a l Y e a r b o o k o f th e
E le c tr ic U ti l i t y I n d u s tr y (Washington, Edison Electric In­
stitute, published annually); Rural Electrification Admin­
istration, S ta t is tic a l R e p o r t, R u r a l E le c tr ic B o rro w ers
(Washington, Department of Agriculture, published an­
nually).
17E m p lo y m e n t, H o u r s , a n d E a r n in g s , U n ite d S ta te s ,
1 9 0 9 - 9 0 , V o lu m e I I (Bureau of Labor Statistics, March
1991), p. 720.
18American Gas Association, G a s F a cts.
19 See technical supplement to M u ltif a c to r P r o d u c tiv ity
in U ti l i t y S e r v ic e s I n d u s tr ie s , unpublished bls report.
20E m p lo y m e n t, H o u r s , a n d E a r n in g s , pp. 719-28.
21 See technical supplement to M u ltif a c to r P r o d u c tiv ity
in U tility S e r v ic e s I n d u s tr ie s .

22 E m p lo y m e n t, H o u r s , a n d E a r n in g s , pp. 719-28.
23 See technical supplement to M u ltif a c to r P r o d u c tiv ity
in U ti l i t y S e r v ic e s I n d u s tr ie s .

24 Bureau of Economic Analysis, “Table 6.4B-Compensation of Employees by Industry: Annually, 1948-82,” T h e
N a tio n a l I n c o m e a n d P r o d u c t A c c o u n ts o f th e U n ite d
S ta te s , 1 9 2 9 - 8 2 , S ta tis tic a l T a b le s (Washington, Depart­

ment of Commerce, September 1986).
25 Energy Information Administration, Office of Coal,
Nuclear, Electric, and Alternate Fuels, M o n th ly R e p o r t f o r
E le c tr ic U tilitie s R 0 0 2 , F u e l C o n s u m p tio n a n d S to c k ( I I )

(Washington, Department of Energy, 1990).
26 Edison Electric Institute, S ta tis tic a l Y e a r b o o k .
27 Energy Information Administration, Office of Energy
Markets and End Use, M o n th ly E n e r g y R e v ie w (Washing­
ton, Department of Energy, published monthly).
28 Energy Information Administration, Office of Oil and
Gas, N a tu r a l G a s A n n u a l (Washington, Department of
Energy, 1982-89).
29 Office of Business Analysis, Under Secretary for Eco­
nomic Affairs, N a tio n a l E n e r g y A c c o u n ts D a ta B a se
(Washington, Department of Commerce, February 1985).
30 Office of Business Analysis, N a tio n a l E n e r g y A c ­
c o u n ts .
31 I b id .

32 Bureau of the Census, P u b lic E m p lo y m e n t (Washing­
ton, Department of Commerce, 1959-88), annual issues.
33American Gas Association, G a s F a cts.
34 Technically, gas used for fuel by water and other sani­
tary services industries should be deducted from total sup­
ply in this derivation of gas materials input. However, anal­
ogously to the development of energy input, this would be
accomplished by applying a ratio based on 1958-85 N a tio n ­
a l E n e r g y A c c o u n ts data to the entire gas materials input

series. Because the amounts involved are not significant
(the 1985 ratio would be 0.997), this approach has been
avoided.
35 Energy Information Administration, N a tu r a l G a s A n ­
n u a l.

36 Input-output tables are available for the years 1947,
1958, 1963, and every year between 1967 and 1980. BLS
modifies the published tables for mutual consistency and to
reflect establishment output concepts; for those years that
lack published tables, estimates are obtained by interpola­
tion using annual control totals for gross output, final de­

mand, and value added. See, for example, Bureau of Eco­
nomic Analysis, T h e D e ta ile d I n p u t- O u tp u t S tr u c tu r e o f
th e U .S . E c o n o m y , 1 9 7 7 , V o lu m e 1 , T h e U s e a n d M a k e o f
C o m m o d itie s b y I n d u s tr ie s (Washington, Department of

Commerce, 1984).
37
Services consist of communications; finance and in­
surance; real estate rental; hotel services; repair services;
business services, including equipment rental, engineering
and technical services, and advertising; vehicle repair;
medical and educational services; and purchases from gov­
ernment enterprises.

Decade of children and the family
It is vexing to see decades labeled according to a single mood— the swinging sixties,
the greedy eighties. The shift of a digit on the calendar year can hardly cause such a
profound swing in the national psyche, only a fraction of the population. Nevertheless,
the 1990s will be dedicated in a major way to children and family because family life
will be at its peak for the most influential generation in the population— influential by
virtue of its size and now aging into positions of influence. This shift cannot help but
influence fertility decisions at the margin. Thus, other things being equal, we will
probably see a somewhat higher fertility rate. How high cannot be predicted, but it
will probably not be very much higher than the 2.2 in the high-fertility projection
series, since the opportunity costs of having children are more likely to increase than to
decrease.


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-------Martha Farnsworth Riche
“Demographic Change and the
Destiny of the Working-Age Population.”
As the Workforce Ages: Costs, Benefits &
Policy Challenges, Olivia S. Mitchell, editor.
(Ithaca, ny, ilr Press, School of Industrial
and Labor Relations, Cornell University, 1993), p. 24.

M o n t h l y L a b o r R e v ie w M a y 1 9 9 3

49

Research
summaries

Producer prices in 1992
held down by
productivity gains
Craig Howell, William Thomas,
Harry Briggs, and Scott Sager
Prices received by domestic produc­
ers of finished goods moved up 1.6
percent from December 1991 to
December 1992 after inching down
0.1 percent in calendar year 1991.
Outside of the often volatile food and
energy sectors, however, prices for
finished goods advanced 1.9 percent,
well below the 3.1-percent rise in
1991.
At earlier stages of processing, the
Intermediate Goods Price Index rose
1.1 percent in 1992 in the wake of a
2.6-percent decrease the year before.
The Crude Goods Price Index
increased 2.9 percent from December
1991 to December 1992, following a
drop of 11.6 percent during the pre­
ceding year. Energy prices turned up
modestly at both the intermediate and
the crude levels after double-digit
declines in 1991. Crude foodstuff
prices also moved up after falling a
year earlier. Industrial material prices
turned up at both the intermediate
and the crude stages of processing.
(See table 1.)
Price increases for many items in­
cluded in the Producer Price Index
(PPI) system were slower in the second
Craig Howell, William Thomas, Harry Briggs,
and Scott Sager are economists in the Office of
Prices and Living Conditions, Bureau of Labor
Statistics. They were assisted by Roger Burns,
an economist in the same office.

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half of the year than in the first. The
increase in the Finished Goods Price
Index, for example, slowed from a
seasonally adjusted annual rate of 2.6
percent in the first 6 months of 1992
to a rate of 0.5 percent in the last 6
months of the year. The so-called
“core” or“ underlying” rate of infla­
tion (that is, for finished goods other
than foods and energy) reflected the
same pattern, rising at an annual rate
of 2.7 percent from December 1991 to
June 1992, followed by a 1.0-percent
rate of advance from June to Dec­
ember 1992. The index for finished
energy goods, which had risen at an
annual rate of 7.4 percent in the first 6
months of the year, fell at about the
same pace in the second half. Con­
sumer food prices, however, turned
up from June to December after eas­
ing down slightly in the preceding 6
months.
Industrial material prices also
tended to move up more rapidly in the
first 6 months of 1992 than in the rest
of the year. The index for intermedi­
ate materials less foods and energy
edged up at a rate of 0.5 percent in the
second half, less than the first-half
rate of 1.8 percent. Prices for both
durable and nondurable manufactur­
ing materials turned down in the
second half after first-half increases.
The rise in the index for basic indus­
trial materials slowed to a seasonally
adjusted annual rate of 1.9 percent
from June to December after climbing
at a rate of about 10 percent in the pre­
ceding 6 months.
Although the recession that had be­
gun in July 1990 had officially ended
by the spring of 1991, the recovery for
the rest of that year and through most

for of 1992 was uncharacteristically
sluggish, compared with previous
periods of recovery. It was not until
the end of 1992 that the gross
domestic product reached the same
level as it had attained just prior to the
start of the recession.
Personal consumption expendi­
tures on goods and services were re­
strained by the need of consumers to
reduce their unusually high debt
burdens in the aftermath of intense
borrowing during the 1980’s. The
failure of employment to rebound sig­
nificantly during the recovery further
served to hamper consumer spend­
ing. Nevertheless, consumer spending
strengthened considerably in the
second half, partly at the expense of
savings. Capital investment plans
were held in check by unused capacity
in many sectors. Export demand was
less buoyant in 1992 than in other
recent times, largely because many of
our major trading partners were also
struggling with recession or low
growth. The housing sector was again
relatively strong; however, the com­
mercial construction sector remained
depressed in the aftermath of serious
overbuilding in the mid-1980’s.
Inflation usually continues to
decelerate even well after a recession
ends because output normally ex­
pands at a faster pace than employ­
ment during the early stages of re­
covery. This results in sizable produc­
tivity gains and lower unit labor costs.
The unusually slow growth in em­
ployment from the March 1991
trough of the recession through the
end of 1992 amplified this tendency.
This factor was particularly impor­
tant for finished goods, because

Table 1.

Annual percent changes for major categories of the Producer
Price Index by stage of processing, 1988-92

Index

u te d s o le ly t o b road e c o n o m ic s lu g ­
g is h n e s s . B y t h e sa m e to k e n , c o n tin u ­
a tio n o f a lo w r a te o f in fla tio n w o u ld
n o t n e c e s s a r ily b e je o p a r d iz e d b y a
m o r e v ig o r o u s e x p a n s io n in 1 9 9 3 .

1988

1989

1990

1991

1992

Finished goods...................
Foods ............................
Energy...........................
Other.............................

4.0
5.7
-3 .6
4.3

4.9
5.2
9.5
4.2

5.7
2.6
30.7
3.5

-0.1
-1 .5
-9.6
3.1

1.6
1.5
-.1
1.9

Intermediate materials,
supplies, and components....
Foods and feeds...........
Energy...........................
Other.............................

5.6
10.8
—4.4
7.2

2.3
0
10.6
.9

4.3
-1 .3
21.8
1.9

-2 .6
-.2
-11.6
-.8

1.1
-.5
1.8
1.1

r o s e le s s in 1 9 9 2 th a n t h e y h a d in th e

Crude materials for further
processing........................
Foodstuffs and feedstu^s
Energy...........................
Other.............................

3.1
14.2
-9 .5
7.5

7.1
2.8
17.9
-3 .6

6.0
-4 .2
19.1
.6

-11.6
-5 .8
-16.6
-7 .6

2.9
2.8
1.5
5.6

t h e d e c e le r a tio n in th e in d e x fo r c o n ­
su m e r n o n d u r a b le s o th e r th a n f o o d s
a n d e n e r g y . T h e s lo w d o w n fo r b o th

Note:

E a c h o f th e th r e e m a jo r s ta g e -o fp r o c e s s in g g r o u p in g s m a k in g u p th e
core
r a te — c o n s u m e r
n o n d u r a b le s
o th e r th a n fo o d an d e n e r g y , c o n s u m e r
d u r a b le s, an d c a p ita l e q u ip m e n t—
p r e c e d in g y e a r . A s iz a b le s lo w d o w n
in th e r a te o f in c r e a s e fo r to b a c c o
p r o d u c ts w a s r e s p o n s ib le fo r m u c h o f

c o n s u m e r d u r a b le s a n d c a p ita l e q u ip ­
m e n t w a s led b y p a sse n g e r c a r s and
o th e r k in d s o f tr a n s p o r ta tio n e q u ip ­

Data are calculated on a December-to-December basis.

m e n t.
T h e in d e x fo r c o n s u m e r n o n d u r a ­
b le g o o d s o th e r th a n fo o d s a n d e n e r g y

la b o r c o s t s are a m o r e c r itic a l d e te r ­
m in a n t o f th e r a te o f p r ic e c h a n g e fo r
g o o d s a t th e la te r s ta g e s o f p r o c e ss in g
th a n fo r g o o d s th a t are le s s p r o c e ss e d .
P r o d u c tiv ity fo r n o n fa r m b u s in e sse s
a s a w h o le g r e w 2 .7 p e r c e n t in 1 9 9 2 ,
fa r b e tte r th a n t h e 0 .5 -p e r c e n t r ise
m e a s u r e d in 19 9 1 a n d th e h ig h e s t in ­
c r e a s e fo r a n y c a le n d a r y e a r sin c e
1972.

Core rate of inflation
P r ic e s r e c e iv e d b y d o m e s tic p r o d u c ­
e r s fo r fin is h e d g o o d s o th e r th a n fo o d s
a n d e n e r g y m o v e d u p 1.9 p e r c e n t in
1 9 9 2 , th e s m a lle s t a d v a n c e fo r a n y
c a le n d a r y e a r s in c e 1 9 8 3 . T h e tren d
to w a r d s s lo w e r a n n u a l in c r e a s e s in
th e c o r e r a te o f in fla tio n h a s b een
e v id e n t e a c h y e a r sin c e th e la te 1 9 8 0 ’s:

T h e w e a k n e s s in p r ic e s fo r m a n y
k in d s o f in d u s tr ia l m a te r ia ls d u rin g
1 9 9 2 w a s s o m e w h a t p u z z lin g in a
h is to r ic p e r s p e c tiv e . T h e s e p r ic e s are
u s u a lly c o n s id e r e d a se n s itiv e le a d in g
in d ic a to r o f th e sta tu s o f th e g e n e r a l
e c o n o m y . B u t w h ile m o s t o th e r s e n s i­
tiv e e c o n o m ic in d ic a to r s w e r e p o in t­
in g to w a r d s a s tr e n g th e n in g e c o n o m y
b y t h e e n d o f th e y e a r , m a te r ia l p r ic e s
w e r e o fte n fa r str o n g e r in th e fir s t h a lf
o f t h e y e a r th a n in th e se c o n d . I f th e
e c o n o m y d o e s in fa c t c o n tin u e t o im ­
p r o v e th r o u g h 1 9 9 3 , it m a y b e a sig n
th a t m a te r ia l p r ic e s are c u r r e n tly
b e in g d r iv e n m o r e b y th e ir o w n
s p e c ia l s u p p ly situ a tio n s (fo r e x a m ­
p le , b y t h e h e a v y s a le s o f n o n fe r r o u s
m e ta ls fr o m a r e a s in t h e fo r m e r S o v ie t
U n io n ) th a n b y s h ifts in g e n e r a l
e c o n o m ic d e m a n d . If, h o w e v e r , th e
e c o n o m y o n c e a g a in fa lte r s, t h is m a y
in d ic a te th a t m o v e m e n ts in m a te r ia l
p r ic e s r e m a in a v ia b le p r o g n o stic a to r
o f t h e fu tu r e h e a lt h o f th e e c o n o m y .


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m o v e d u p 2 .8 p e r c e n t in 1 9 9 2 in th e
w a k e o f a n in c r e a s e o f 4 .3 p e r c e n t a
y e a r b e fo r e . P r ic e s fo r to b a c c o p r o d ­

in th e to b a c c o p r o d u c ts in d e x e a c h
y e a r fr o m 1 9 8 7 th r o u g h 1 9 9 1 .
T h e 1 9 9 2 d e c e le r a tio n fo r to b a c c o
p r o d u c ts in p art r e fle c te d a m ark ed
s lo w d o w n in g r o w th in e x p o r t d em a n d
fo r A m e r ic a n -m a d e c ig a r e tte s a fter

PPI
core rate

y e a r s o f s te e p in c r e a se s; s o m e fo r e ig n
m a r k e ts e v e n s h o w e d a d rop in c o n ­
s u m p tio n . F o r m a n y y e a r s , fo r e ig n
d e m a n d h a d b e e n s tr o n g e n o u g h to
o ffs e t t h e im p a c t o f d e c lin in g c ig a r e tte
c o n s u m p tio n in t h e U n ite d S ta te s.
( D o m e s t ic c o n s u m p tio n w a s e x p e c te d
to b e a b o u t 2 .5 p e r c e n t lo w e r in 1 9 9 2
th a n a y e a r e a r lie r .) H o w e v e r , p r o ­

1 9 8 8 ................... 4 .3
1989
1990
1991
1992

u c t s m o v e d u p 6 .7 p e r c e n t o v e r th e
y e a r . W h ile th is w a s w e ll a b o v e th e
p a c e o f in fla tio n fo r m o s t o th e r k in d s
o f g o o d s , th e 1 9 9 2 a d v a n c e r e p r e ­
se n te d a c o n s id e r a b le d e c e le r a tio n
fr o m t h e in c r e a s e s o f a b o u t 13 p e r c e n t

................... 4 .2
................... 3 .5
......................3.1
................... 1.9

A sim ila r p a tte r n w a s e x h ib ite d fo r
several years
d u r in g
th e
m u ch

d u c tio n s h ifte d a b ro a d t o s o m e e x te n t
d u r in g 1 9 9 2 a s A m e r ic a n to b a c c o
m a n u fa c tu r e r s in c r e a s in g ly lic e n s e d

str o n g e r r e c o v e r y fr o m th e r e c e s s io n
th a t e n d e d in la te 1 9 8 2 . T h e f a c t th a t
t h e c o r e r a te r o s e m o r e s l o w ly d u rin g
t h e s e c o n d h a lf o f 1 9 9 2 , w h e n t h e r e ­
c o v e r y w a s m o r e p r o n o u n c e d , th a n in
th e fir s t 6 m o n th s o f th e y e a r fu r th e r
in d ic a te s th e c o m p a ta b ility o f lo w in ­
fla tio n a n d r e c o v e r y .
T h u s, t h e lo w r a te o f in fla tio n in th e

t h e u s e o f th e ir b ran d n a m e s b y fo r e ig n
p r o d u c e r s. T h e lic e n s in g d is p la c e d
fo r e ig n d e m a n d fo r to b a c c o p r o d u c ts

c o r e r a te fo r 1 9 9 2 c a n n o t b e a ttr ib ­

s u m m e r to c o m p e te w ith in th a t p art o f

m a d e in t h e U n ite d S ta te s. I n m a n y
p arts o f t h e w o r ld , A m e r ic a n c ig a r e tte
b ran d n a m e s are c o n s id e r e d t o b e
w o r ld -c la s s , p r e m iu m q u a lity . W ith in
th e U n ite d S ta te s, p r ic e s fo r g e n e r ic
c ig a r e tte s w e r e c u t h e a v ily d u r in g th e

Monthly Labor Review May 1993

51

Research Summaries
the market which is sensitive to
relative price levels.
The Producer Price Index for con­
sumer durables moved up 1.3 percent
in 1991, following a rise of 2.0 percent
a year earlier. The new cars index
inched up 0.6 percent over the year
after increasing 3.1 percent in 1991.
Domestic manufacturers continued
their aggressive downsizing cam­
paigns by cutting labor costs and im­
proving productivity. By doing this,
operations could be profitable at
lower levels of output. Domestic new
car sales in 1992 were up a little more
than 2 percent after declining 12
percent in 1991.
The Producer Price Index for
capital equipment increased 1.6 per­
cent after rising 2.5 percent in 1991;
the 1992 increase was the smallest
since 1987. Most of the price decelera­
tion for this index was the result of
smaller price increases than in the
previous year for civilian aircraft and
passenger cars. Movements for most
items within the capital goods group­
ing were relatively flat. While prices
for most items within the transporta­
tion equipment category were up
more than other kinds of capital
goods, the effect of these price in­
creases was offset by lower prices for
electronic computers.

sure enough supply. Gas prices
peaked in October, about the same
time that Congress passed an energy
bill which emphasized the use of
cleaner sources of energy such as
natural gas. Prices retreated at the end
of the year, however, as some utilities
and manufacturers switched to alter­
nate fuel sources, such as oil or coal.
Prices for crude petroleum drop­
ped 2.2 percent in 1992 after plum­
meting 30.5 percent in 1991. Mem­
bers of the Organization of Petroleum
Exporting Countries (OPEC) had even
more trouble than usual in regulating
the output of their members. OPEC
production reached its highest level in
a decade in November (25.3 million
barrels/day), as Kuwait continued to
rebuild its oil producing capacity. Do­
mestic production of crude petroleum
declined about 3.5 percent over the
year.
Foods

Prices received by domestic pro­
ducers of finished consumer foods
turned up 1.5 percent, about the same
amount as they had fallen in 1991.
Consumer food price increases during
1992 were dominated by a surge of
nearly 70 percent in the fresh and dry
vegetables index; within this category,
prices soared for the two most domi­
nant
items, tomatoes and lettuce, as
Energy
supplies were generally lower due to
decreased acreage and adverse wea­
From December 1991 to December
ther
conditions. At the intermediate
1992, the crude energy materials
stage
of processing, the index for
index climbed 1.5 percent after falling
foods
and
feeds decreased 0.5 percent
16.6 percent in 1991. Similarly, the in­
following
a
0.2-percent decline a year
dex for intermediate energy materials
earlier.
At
the farm level, the Pro­
(such as diesel fuel) rose 1.8 percent in
ducer Price Index for crude foodstuffs
1992 after an 11.6-percent drop in
1991. Prices for finished energy goods and feedstuffs rose 2.8 percent after a
(such as gasoline) edged down 0.1 per­ 5.8-percent decline in 1991. Through­
out 1992, severe weather conditions in
cent in 1992, following the 9.6-perdifferent regions of the country dam­
cent drop in 1991. Energy prices were
off sharply in 1991 after Operation aged crops and hampered harvests;
and wreaked havoc in agricultural
Desert Storm ended and alleviated
markets. However, supplies were of­
fears of a major supply disruption.
ten
only temporarily limited until har­
Most of the 1992 upturn in crude
vests
from other producing areas
energy goods was attributable to the
came to market.
index for natural gas to pipelines,
which rose 5.4 percent following a de­ Material prices
crease of about 5 percent in 1991.
After Hurricane Andrew temporarily
Prices for nondurable manufacturing
interrupted about 5 percent of Gulf of materials edged up 0.3 percent from
Mexico production, gas prices were
December 1991 to December 1992
bid up as fearful suppliers tried to en­ after dropping 4.8 percent in the pre­
52

Monthly Labor Review May 1993


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vious year. Price declines slowed for
petrochemicals after dropping mark­
edly in 1991. Weak export demand
and the addition of new capacity both
contributed to oversupply and the
continuation of falling prices. How­
ever, the declines did not match those
of the previous year which followed
the collapse of petroleum prices after
the Persian Gulf war. Declines also
slowed in 1992 for paper, synthetic
fibers, and nitrogenates.
The index for durable manufactur­
ing materials rose 1.2 percent after
falling 3.7 percent in 1991. Price de­
clines were slower for aluminum mill
shapes, flat rolled steel sheet and strip,
hot rolled steel bars, cold finished
steel bars, and primary platinum.
Prices turned up after falling in the
preceding year for copper and brass
mill shapes and for primary alu­
minum. Prices rose much faster than
in 1991 for hardwood lumber and for
building paper and board. Flat glass
prices increased after showing no
change in the previous year. Price ad­
vances slowed, however, for prepared
paint and cement. In addition, prices
fell faster than a year earlier for
primary lead, zinc, gold, and silver,
and for semifinished steel mill
products.
The index for materials and compo­
nents for construction climbed 2.7
percent in 1992, after a slower in­
crease of 0.8 percent in 1991. As mort­
gage rates continued to decline, from
8.50 percent in December 1991 to
8.22 percent in December 1992, many
consumers took advantage of this by
either refinancing existing mortgages
or by purchasing new homes. These
low interest rates boosted housing
starts throughout the year, showing
considerable improvement over 1991
levels. For 1992, new housing starts
were up to more than 1.2 million
units— 18.5 percent higher than in
1991; however, housing starts in 1991
were at their lowest level since World
War II. The 1992 increase was the
first annual increase since 1989, as
well as the largest annual increase
since 1986.
While most annual price move­
ments among construction materials
were in line with more general levels
of inflation, prices for many wood-re­
lated items soared. Following an

11.7-percent rise in 1991, softwood
lumber prices climbed 22.1 percent,
the highest yearly advance in almost
20 years. Softwood lumber prices
were sharply higher in the first
quarter as a result of short supplies.
This shortage was exacerbated by the
fear that new regulations protecting
the Northern Spotted Owl might
cause further supply restrictions.
Lagging demand and the reduction of
the Canadian export duty on logging
products resulted in increased im­
ports, pushing prices lower in the
second quarter. Demand occasioned
by damage from Hurricane Andrew,
as well as increased housing starts and
short supplies, pushed softwood
lumber prices higher again late in the
year.
The index for crude nonfood ma­
terials less energy turned up 5.6 per­
cent in 1992 after falling 7.6 percent in
1991. This index showed moderate
gains through the first three quarters,
then showed some weakness early in
the fourth quarter before rebounding
strongly at the end of the year. As this
index is sometimes considered a lead­
ing economic indicator, it shows that
the economic climate in 1992 im­
proved over that of 1991, although its
erratic movement late in the year may
signal further rough spots in the
economy.
In 1992, price increases accelerated
for the logs, bolts, timber, and pulpwood category. Prices turned up for
waste paper, cattle hides, and alumi­
num base scrap. Price declines slowed
for raw cotton, iron and steel scrap,
and copper ores. In contrast, the
phosphate and gold ore indexes fell
more than in 1991.
Selected industries
The passenger car rental index rose
17.2 percent in 1992. Charges for
passenger car rentals increased sharp­
ly on the strength of heavy demand
during the traditional summer driving
season. Substantially reduced airfares
during this period further boosted
demand for auto rentals because of
the increased travel made possible by
the fare cuts. Rental rates also were
buoyed by higher purchase costs for
the 1993 model-year fleet.


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Oth e r

s ig n if ic a n t

in c r e a s e s

were registered in 1992 for electric
power and natural gas utilities, tour
operators, scrap and waste materials,
marine cargo handling, refrigerated
warehousing and storage, and radio
broadcasting. In contrast, declines
were registered for travel agencies,
scheduled air transportation, and for
water transportation of freight, not
elsewhere classified.
□

Consumer price rise
slows further in 1992
Richard C. Bahr
The Consumer Price Index for All
Urban Consumers (CPI-U) rose 2.9
percent in 1992, slowing from its al­
ready relatively languid 3.1-percent
pace in 1991.1The 1992 rise was the
lowest annual rate of increase since a
1.1-percent rise in 1986 and was the
second smallest since 1965. The 1990
advance of 6.1 percent, propelled by a
sharp escalation in petroleum-based
energy prices following the Iraqi inva­
sion of Kuwait in August of that year,
was significantly higher than the aver­
age rate of increase of 5.1 percent dur­
ing the 1980’s. While the deceleration
in 1991 was largely the result of the
downturn in petroleum-based energy
prices, the further moderation in 1992
was more broadly based. Even though
energy prices increased again (indeed,
the upturn in gasoline prices caused a
turnaround in the transportation
component of the index), prices for
each of the other major expenditure
groups rose less in 1992 than during
the preceding year.
The food index, which rose 1.9 per­
cent in 1991, its smallest advance
since a 0.5-percent increase in 1976,
slowed even further, to a 1.5-percent
rise, in 1992. The 3.4-percent rise in
this component over the past 2 calen­
dar years was the smallest since the

Richard C. Bahr is an economist in the Division
of Consumer Prices and Price Indexes, Office of
Prices and Living Conditions, Bureau of Labor
Statistics.

2-year period ended December 1964.
More noteworthy was the decelera­
tion in the index for all items less food
and energy. After a 4.4-percent rise in
1991, this index advanced 3.3 percent
in 1992, its smallest increase since a
3.0-percent rise in 1972, during a
period of price controls.
The economy
Sluggish economic conditions were an
important cause of 1992’s moderate
price rise. Although the recession that
began in July 1990 ended officially in
March 1991, the delay between the
end of the recession and its announce­
ment, in December 1992, was the re­
sult of the sluggishness of the re­
covery. Unemployment reached an
8-year high of 7.7 percent in June
1992 and then began to decline
slowly, ending the year at 7.3 percent.
The number of private sector jobs in
December remained 1.7 million below
the prerecession peak. Record num­
bers of bankruptcies of businesses and
individuals continued to be filed
during most of 1992.
An indication of possible future
economic improvement, however,
was shown in the rise in the govern­
ment’s index of leading economic in­
dicators during the last 3 months of
the year. The December increase of
1.7 percent was the largest in nearly a
decade.
The cost of labor and materials
remained relatively stable during the
year. Total labor compensation costs
paid by U.S. nonfarm business ememployers (which include wages,
salaries, and benefits paid to their
employees) increased 3.7 percent in
1992, after advancing 4.2 percent in
1991. In addition, productivity was
up 3.2 percent over the past year,
offsetting most of the rise in hourly
compensation. As a result, labor costs
per unit of output rose only 0.4 per­
cent from 1991 (fourth quarter to
fourth quarter). The Producer Price
Index (PPI) for intermediate materials,
supplies, and components rose only
1.1 percent; the PPI for capital equip­
ment rose only 1.6 percent; and long­
term interest rates remained relatively
low, keeping the cost of financing cap­
ital equipment purchases moderate.

M o n t h l y L a h o r R e v ie w

M a y 1993

R esea rch S u m m a r ie s

Table 1.

Annual percent change In the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U), selected
expenditure categories, 1983-92, not seasonally adusted
12 months ended December—

Expenditure category

All items....................................
All items less energy.............
AII items less
food and energy..................
Commodities less food
and energy commodities....
Services less
energy services................
Energy.....................................
Energy commodities.............
Energy services....................
Food........................................
Fresh fruit..............................
Food away from home..........
Shelter.....................................
Residential rent.....................
Lodging while
out of town............................
Homeowners' costs..............
Medical care...........................
Apparel and upkeep..............
College tuition.........................
Alcoholic beverages..............
Tobacco products...................
Auto finance...........................

1983

1984

1985

1986

1987

1988

1989

1990

1991

1992

3.8
4.5

3.9
4.4

3.8
4.0

1.1
3.8

4.4
4.1

4.4
4.7

4.6
4.6

6.1
5.2

3.1
3.9

2.9
3.0

4.8

4.7

4.3

3.8

4.2

4.7

4.4

5.2

4.4

3.3

5.0

3.1

2.2

1.4

3.5

4.0

2.7

3.4

4.0

2.5

4.8
-.5
-3 .2
4.1
2.7
-1 .3
4.1
4.7
4.8

5.6
.2
-1 .8
3.5
3.8
22.6
4.2
5.2
5.9

5.7
1.8
3.4
-.6
2.6
1.3
3.8
6.0
6.4

5.2
-19.7
-30.5
-3 .3
3.8
5.9
4.3
4.6
5.0

4.5
8.2
17.8
.2
3.5
10.5
3.7
4.8
4.0

5.0
.5
-2 .3
3.2
5.2
13.4
4.4
4.5
3.6

5.3
5.1
7.9
2.8
5.6
8.1
4.6
4.9
4.2

6.0
18.1
35.4
1.5
5.3
10.6
4.5
5.2
4.1

4.6
-7 .4
-16.1
3.5
1.9
10.2
2.9
3.9
2.9

3.7
2.0
1.2
2.8
1.5
-3 .6
1.4
2.9
2.3

6.8
4.5
6.4
2.9
9.6
3.4

6.3
5.1
6.1

6.4
5.9
6.8
2.8
8.6
5.5
7.2
-8 .3

4.4
4.6
7.7
.9
7.4

3.9
5.3
5.8
4.8
7.0
3.3
7.9
5.9

4.5
4.7
6.9
4.7
7.7
3.9
9.4
8.3

5.4
5.1
8.5

15.8
4.7
9.6
5.1
8.2
4.2
10.8
.0

8.5
3.7
7.9
3.4
12.1
9.9
11.1
-7.1

3.8
2.9
6.6
1.4

10.1
-7 .9

All items less food and energy
The index for items other than the
volatile food and energy components,
which is often used as a measure of the
underlying rate of consumer inflation,
rose 3.3 percent in 1992. This was the
smallest rise in this index since 1972,
during price controls. It was also
significantly lower than the 4.5-per­
cent average annual increase in this
component over the 10 years ended
1991. The slowdown in 1992 was
evident in both commodity and ser­
vice prices, with the index for services
less energy accounting for slightly
more than half of the deceleration in
the index for all items less food and
energy. A smaller rise in rent of
shelter compared with the previous
year’s increase —2.9 percent versus
3.9 percent—accounted for twothirds of the deceleration in the index
for services less energy. Slowdowns in
the growth of prices for apparel
commodities and alcoholic beverages
were responsible for about two-thirds
of the deceleration in the index for
commodities less food and energy.
S h e lt e r a n d o th e r se le c te d h o u s e h o ld
costs. The sluggish economy and the

slumping housing market caused fur­
ther moderation in the costs for
54

M o n t h l y L a b o r R e v ie w


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2.0
10.1
2.7
5.0
6.8

2.0
5.9
-7 .3

shelter. These costs were up 2.9 per­
cent in 1992, after advancing 5.2 per­
cent in 1990 and 3.9 percent in 1991.
The 1992 change was the smallest
advance since a 2.4-percent rise in
1982, at the depth of the 1981-82 re­
cession. Residential rent rose 2.3 per­
cent in 1992, its smallest annual rise
since 1967. Charges for lodging while
out of town, which include hotel and
motel charges and rent for vacation
and resort properties, rose 3.8 percent
in 1992, less than half the 8.5-percent
increase in 1991 and the smallest rise
in this component since a 2.6-percent
advance in 1972. Homeowners’ costs
were up 2.9 percent in 1992, replacing
199l ’s rise of 3.7 percent as the
smallest increase in this component
since the rental equivalence approach
was adopted in January 1983.2
Even some household items, whose
prices accelerated in 1991, showed de­
celerations in 1992. Among these
were telephone services, the cost of
which had turned up from a 0.4-percent decline in 1990 to a 3.5-percent
rise in 1991. In 1992, however, the
price of telephone services turned
back down to a 0.3-percent decline.
Water and sewerage maintenance
charges, which had accelerated to a
7.8-percent increase in 1991, slowed
to a 6.6-percent pace in 1992. Simi­
larly, after advancing 11.5 percent in

M a y 1993

1.0
8.1
4.8
14.7
4.3

10.0
2.9

8.1
-1 3.9

1991, refuse collection charges rose
8.5 percent in 1992. However, charges
for cable television services continued
their 1991 deceleration, with a
3.7-percent rise in 1992. This slow­
down followed double-digit price in­
creases in 2 of the last 5 years and was
the smallest rise since this component
was first published in January 1983.
O th e r

s ig n ific a n t

p ric e

m o v e m e n ts .

Apparel and upkeep prices continued
to slow in 1992, rising only 1.4 percent
after advancing 5.1 percent in 1990
and 3.4 percent in 1991. Relatively
slack consumer demand caused many
retailers to continue to moderate price
increases, to avoid a further softening
of sales volume.
Prices of alcoholic beverages
slowed to a 2.9-percent rise in 1992,
compared with a 9.9-percent advance
the preceding year. This higher 1991
figure resulted in part from an in­
crease in the Federal excise tax at the
beginning of the year.3
Medical care costs, which have in­
creased faster than the overall con­
sumer inflation rate each year since
1980, continued that trend in 1992,
rising 6.6 percent. However, this ad­
vance represented a continuing slow­
down from increases of 9.6 percent in
1990 and 7.9 percent in 1991. Medical
care commodities slowed to a 5.2-per-

cent increase, and professional med­
ical services decelerated to a 5.7-percent rise. Costs for hospital and re­
lated services rose 8.8 percent in 1992,
slightly lower than the 8.9-percent
pace posted in 1991, which itself was a
slowdown from advances of 11 per­
cent or more in each of the 3 preced­
ing years.
College tuition rose 10.0 percent in
1992, after rising 12.1 percent in 1991.
These increases were somewhat high­
er than the 7.0-percent to 8.6-percent
advances that marked each year be­
tween 1985 and 1990. Cuts in funding
by State governments, which supports
many universities, continued to lead
to tuition hikes.
Prices for tobacco and smoking
products continued to advance sub­
stantially, but slowed to an 8.1-percent rise in 1992, after increasing at
double-digit rates for 3 straight years.
As with alcoholic beverages, the 1991
advance of 11.1 percent in tobacco
prices resulted in part from the Janu­
ary 1991 Federal excise tax increase.
Price rises for tobacco and smoking
products have exceeded the overall
consumer inflation rate for 11 years
running.
The cost of purchasing a new car
dropped in 1992, the result of a sharp
decline of 13.9 percent in automobile
finance charges and a slowing of price
increases for new cars, which were 2.3
percent in 1992, compared with 3.3
percent the previous year. Lower in­
terest rates and the prevalence of pro­
motional rates offered by auto dealers
were what lowered the costs of financ­
ing a new car. However, prices for
used cars accelerated sharply, rising
7.4 percent in 1992, after advancing
2.6 percent in 1991.
Airline fares rose 6.6 percent in
1992, after dropping 6.0 percent in
1991. Most of the advance in 1992 oc­
curred in the last 3 months of the year,
after the end of the latest round of fare
wars.
Food
After decelerating sharply to a
1.9-percent increase in 1991, the food
index slowed further to a 1.5-percent
rise in 1992. The 3.4-percent rise in
this component over the past 2 years
was the smallest since the 2-year peri­


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od ended December 1964. A slight ac­
celeration in prices for food at home
during 1992 was more than offset by a
sharp deceleration in prices for res­
taurant meals and snacks.
R e s ta u r a n t m e a ls a n d s n a c k s . Prices
for food eaten away from home —that
is, food purchased in restaurants,
from fast-food outlets, and from vend­
ing machines —continued to deceler­
ate sharply in 1992, rising 1.4 percent
after increases of 4.5 percent in 1990
and 2.9 percent in 1991. The 1.4-percent advance was the smallest in­
crease in this component since a simi­
lar one in 1964. Eating establishments
kept price increases low to avoid los­
ing customers in the face of a sluggish
economy.

Prices for food
purchased in grocery stores and eaten
at home rose 1.5 percent in 1992, after
advancing 1.3 percent in 1991. Larger
price increases were posted for poul­
try, dairy products, and cereal and
bakery products, together with a turn­
about from falling to rising meat
prices. These increases were partially
offset by slowdowns in prices for
fruits and vegetables, fish and sea­
food, and other food at home, togeth­
er with a larger decline in prices for
eggs.
Meat prices rose 0.2 percent in
1992, after declining 2.1 percent in
1991. Poultry prices accelerated in
1992, rising 2.7 percent, after increas­
ing only 0.4 percent the previous year.
Prices for fruits and vegetables rose
2.2 percent in 1992, exactly half the
1991 increase. This deceleration was
the result of a sharp downturn in
prices for fresh fruit, which decreased
3.6 percent after rising between 8.1
percent and 13.4 percent for the pre­
vious 5 years. The deceleration was
particularly evidenced by downturns
in prices for oranges and apples. A re­
turn to normal production levels after
freezes in the prior 2 years —particu­
larly 1991—increased the supply of
oranges, while a somewhat larger ap­
ple crop combined with reduced Eu­
ropean demand for American apples
to increase the availability of apples.
On the other hand, prices for fresh
G r o c e r y sto re fo o d .

vegetables —particularly tomatoes —
and processed fruits and vegetables
accelerated. By contrast, egg prices
declined for the third year in a row in
1992. The 4.7-percent drop was
slightly larger than the 4.6-percent
fall in 1990 and still larger than the
4.0-percent decline in 1991.
Energy
Energy price trends in 1992 reflected
a return to more normal conditions
than in recent years. Prices turned
back up in 1992, rising 2.0 percent, af­
ter an abrupt drop of 7.4 percent in
1991. The turnaround was due to an
acceleration in the prices of petro­
leum-based energy commodities,
which rose 1.2 percent in 1992 after
dechning 16.1 percent in 1991. Gaso­
line prices rose 2.0 percent. The sharp
energy price drop in 1991 followed a
large price increase in 1990. (The
Iraqi invasion of Kuwait in late 1990
drove up crude oil prices.) In early
1992, the Organization of Petroleum
Exporting Countries (OPEC) tried,
with limited success, to regulate the
supply of crude oil. Partially offset­
ting the acceleration in energy com­
modity prices was a moderation in
prices for energy services. A sharp de­
celeration was posted in prices for
electricity, which rose only 1.7 per­
cent on the heels of a 5.0-percent ad­
vance in 1991.
Summary and outlook
The further deceleration of inflation
in 1992 was broadly based. The index
excluding the volatile food and energy
components slowed to a rate not seen
since 1972, the middle of the price
control era of the early 1970’s. A
number of components decelerated to
slow rates of increase last occurring in
the early 1970’s and, in some cases,
the early 1960’s. Many factors suggest
that consumer price rises may contin­
ue to be moderate. Unemployment
rates over 7 percent mean that there is
considerable room for the economy to
grow before tight labor markets push
up wages. Further room for growth
without significant inflation is pro­
vided by a capacity utilization rate 5
points below the long-term average.
Relatively low price increases for in-

M o n t h l y L a b o r R e v ie w

M a y 1993

55

Research Summaries
termediate materials and capital
goods, as well as low long-term inter­
est rates, contribute to minimal cost
pressures.
The rates of change for selected ex­
penditure categories over the past 10
years are shown in table 1.
□

Footnote

“Changing the H om eow nership C om po­
nent of the C onsum er Price Index to

1 A nnual percent changes are from D e c ­
em ber to D ecem ber, unless otherw ise
noted.
2 See Bureau o f L abor Statistics,

January 1983, pp. 7-13.
3 The Federal excise tax increase was

R ental E quivalence,”

In recent years, many observers have also noted the enormous gap that has arisen
between the reality of managerial power in postwar American society and the theory of
industrial self-government that was enshrined in the Wagner Act and in the rhetoric of
the labor law that has evolved over the last half century. As the American unions
decline in power and influence, and as capital has become ever more global and mo­
bile, the idea that collective bargaining represents the road to an industrial democracy
seems increasingly implausible.
— Nelson Lichtenstein
“Great expectations: the promise
of industrial jurisprudence and its demise,
1930-1960,” Industrial Democracy in America:
The Ambiguous Promise, Nelson Lichtenstein,
and Howell John Harris, eds.
(New York, Woodrow Wilson Center Press
and Cambridge University Press, 1993), p. 115.

Monthly Labor Review May 1993


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Detailed Report,

m andated in the O m nibus Budget R econ­
ciliation A ct of 1990.

Theory and the real world

56

c pi

Major
agreements
expiring
next month
This list of collective bargaining
agreements that expire in June is
based on information collected by the
Bureau’s Office of Compensation and
Working Conditions. It includes
agreements covering 1,000 workers or
more. Private industry is arranged in
order of Standard Industrial Classifi­
cation. Labor organizations bsted are
affiliated with the AFL-CIO, except
where noted as independent (Ind.).

Associated General Contractors of Califor­
nia, Inc., northern California; Carpenters,
3,000 workers
Associated General Contractors of Califor­
nia, Inc., northern California; Operating Engi­
neers, 15,000 workers

Independent building contractors,
Cove, NY; Carpenters, 1,200 workers

Glen

Independent dock builders agreement, New
York and New Jersey; Carpenters, 2,000 work­
ers

Associated General Contractors of Califor­
nia, northern California; Teamsters, 1,000
workers

Keystone Building Contractors Association,
Inc. and Associated General Contractors of
America, Inc., western Pennsylvania; Laborers,
1,500 workers

Associated General Contractors of New
Jersey and others, New Jersey and New York;
Operating Engineers, 5,000 workers

Mechanical
Contractors
Association
(steamfitters), New York, N Y ; Plumbers, 3,300
workers

Private sector

Building Construction Agreement, New
York, NY; Carpenters, 20,000 workers

Mining

Building Industry Association and others,
northern California; Carpenters, 2,500 workers

Mechanical Contractors Association of
northern California and others (steamfitters),
Contra Costa and Alameda counties, CA;
Plumbers, 1,200 workers

Kennecott Corp., Utah, various unions,
1,900 workers

Construction
Allied Building Metal Industries, Inc. (orna­
mental, architectural, and miscellaneous iron
work), New York, NY; Iron Workers, 1,200
workers
Allied Building Metal Industries, Inc. (struc­
tural iron work), New York, NY; Iron Workers,
2,500 workers

Cement League, New York, NY; Iron Work­
ers, 1,300 workers
Cement League and independent contrac­
tors, New York, NY; Laborers, 2,800 workers
Construction Employers Association and
three other associations, northern California;
Carpenters, 14,000 workers
Elevator Manufacturers Association, New
York, NY; Elevator Constructors, 1,800
workers

Metropolitan New York Drywall Contrac­
tors Association, Inc., New York, NY; Carpen­
ters, 2,500 workers
Nassau and Suffolk Contractors Association
(heavy-highway agreement), New York, NY;
Operating Engineers, 1,000 workers
Northern California Contractors Associ­
ation, northern California; Carpenters, 2,000
workers
Plumbing and Air Conditioning Contractors
of Arizona, statewide; Plumbers, 2,000 workers

Associated Brickmason Contractors of
Greater New York, New York, NY; Bricklay­
ers, 1,700 workers

Fox River Valley General Contractors Asso­
ciation (commercial building agreement),
Kane, Kendall, and McHenry counties, IL;
Carpenters 1,000 workers

Associated Building Contractors of North­
western Ohio, Inc., northwest Ohio; Carpen­
ters, 1,900 workers

General Contractors Association of New
York, Inc. (excavation and foundation work),
New York, NY; Laborers, 3,000 workers

Associated General Contractors and Pile­
driving Contractors Association, northern
California; Carpenters, 1,000 workers

General Contractors Association of New
York, Inc. (pavers and road builders), New
York, NY; Laborers, 1,200 workers

Associated General Contractors of America,
Inc., northern Nevada; Carpenters, 1,000
workers

General Contractors Association of New
York, Inc., New York, NY; Operating Engi­
neers, 3,000 workers

Associated General Contractors of Califor­
nia and Southern California Mechanical Con­
tractors Association, southern California;
Plumbers, 4,500 workers

General Contractors Association of New
York, other employer associations, and inde­
pendent companies, New York, N Y ; Carpen­
ters, 1,300 workers

Sheet Metal Contractors Association of
Washington, DC; Sheet Metal Workers, 1,500
workers

Associated General Contractors of Califor­
nia, Inc. and others (outside agreement), north­
ern California; Laborers, 12,000 workers

Highway Contractors, Inc. (heavy-highway
agreement), Kentucky; Laborers, 4,000
workers

Structural Steel and Ornamental Iron Asso­
ciation of New Jersey, Inc., northern New
Jersey; Iron Workers, 3,500 workers


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Plumbing and Piping Industry Council,
southern California; Plumbers, 10,000 workers
Residential Contractors Employers Council
(residential agreement), Chicago, IL; Carpen­
ters, 14,000 workers
Resilient floor coverers, New York, NY;
Carpenters, 1,500 workers
Seven associations of area contractors (build­
ing agreement), Nassau and Suffolk counties,
NY; Laborers, 2,000 workers
Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contrac­
tors Association, Kansas City, MO; Sheet Metal
Workers, 1,100 workers

Monthly Labor Review May 1993

57

Major Agreements Expiring Next Month
Food and kindred products

Transportation

Health services

Michigan Sugar Co., Michigan; Grain Mill­
ers, 1,100 workers

American Maritime Association (unlicensed
seamen), interstate; Seafarers, 4,500 workers

Smithfield Packing Co., Smithfield,
Food Processors (Ind.), 1,200 workers

Flint Hurley Hospital (clerical), Flint, M l;
State, County and Municipal Employees, 1,000
workers

workers

va

;

M TL, Inc., Honolulu, H i; Teamsters, 1,150

Wholesale Bakers Group (drivers), southern
California; Teamsters, 2,000 workers

Public utilities

Apparel and other textile products

Georgia Power Co., statewide; Electrical
Workers ( i b e w ), 6,000 workers

Lingerie Manufacturers Association of New
York, Inc.; Negligee Manufacturers Associ­
ation of New York, Inc.; and Allied Underwear
Association, Inc., New York, NY; Ladies’ Gar­
ment Workers, 3,000 workers

Lumber and wood products
Manufacturing Woodworkers Association
of Greater New York, New York, NY; Carpen­
ters, 3,000 workers

Paper and allied products
International Paper Co., Erie, PA ; Paperworkers, 1,000 workers
James River Corp., Berlin, N H ; Paperworkers, 1,250 workers
Proctor and Gamble Paper Products Co.,
Green Bay, wi; Paperworkers, 1,300 workers

Chemicals and allied products
Johnson & Johnson Products, Inc. and Ethicon, Inc., New Brunswick, NJ; Clothing and
Textile Workers, 1,200 workers

Union Electric Co. (office, sales, clerical and
technical), St. Louis, MO; Electrical Workers
( i b e w ), 1,200 workers
Union Electric Co. (operating and mainte­
nance), St. Louis, MO; Operating Engineers,
1,550 workers
Union Electric Co. (outside and physical),
St. Louis, MO; Electrical Workers ( i b e w ),
1,467 workers

Wholesale and retail trade

Hawaii State (institutional health and cor­
rectional unit), Honolulu, HI; State, County
and Municipal Employees, 1,950 workers
Oregon State (nurses), Statewide; Oregon
Nurses Association (A N A -In d .), 1,100 workers
Oregon State Health Science University,
Portland, Oregon; Oregon Nurses Association
(A N A -In d .), 1,000 workers
Pennsylvania State (nonsupervisory nonpro­
fessional social and rehabilitation), Pennsylva­
nia; State, County and Municipal Employees,
10,000 workers
Pennsylvania State (supervisory professional
social and rehabilitation), Pennsylvania; Ser­
vice Employees, 2,000 workers
Wisconsin State (registered nurses), state­
wide; Nurses (A N A -In d .), 1,500 workers
Education

Almacs, Inc., Massachusetts and Rhode Is­
land; Food and Commercial Workers, 3,000
workers

Alachua County public schools (teachers),
Alachua County, FL; Teachers ( a f t ), 1,600
workers

Schnucks Markets, National Supermarkets,
and Dierbarges, St. Louis, MO; Food and Com­
mercial Workers, 2,300 workers

Albuquerque Public School District (educa­
tional assistants), Albuquerque, NM; Teachers
(A FT), 1,700 workers

Finance, insurance, and real estate

Aoine Arundel County public schools (bus
drivers and other noninstructional employees),
Anne Arundel County, M D; State, County and
Municipal Employees, 1,400 workers

John Hancock Mutual Life Insurance Co.,
interstate; Food and Commercial Workers,
3.000 workers

Anne Arundel County public schools (in­
structional aides, clerical, and technical em­
ployees), Anne Arundel County, M D; Secretary
and Aides Association (Ind.), 1,100 workers

Martin Marietta Energy Systems, Inc., Oak
Ridge, TN ; Atomic Trades and Labor Council,
3,400 workers

Services

Primary metal industries

Alliance of Motion Picture and Television
Producers, interstate; Directors Guild, 3,600
workers

Anne Arundel County public schools (teach­
ers), Anne Arundel County, M D; Education
(N E A -In d .), 4,000 workers

Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles,

Anoka-Hennepin Independent School Dis­
trict (teachers), Coon Rapid, M N; Anoka-Hen­
nepin Education Association (Ind.), 2,200
workers

Stockham Valves & Fittings, Inc., Birming­
ham, AL; Steelworkers, 1,100 workers

CA; Service Employees, 1,400 workers

Fabricated metal products

Swedish Hospital Medical Center, Seattle,
; United Staff Nurses Union (Ind.), 1,150
workers

Aluminum Company of America, Cleve­
land, OH; Automobile Workers, 1,000 workers

w a

Machinery, except electrical

Temple University (clerical and office), Phil­
adelphia, PA; Hospital and Health Care Em­
ployees (Ind.), 1,400 workers

Copeland Corp., Sidney, OH; Electronic
Workers (lU E ), 1,200 workers
Unisys Corp., St. Paul, M N; Electrical
Workers ( i b e w ), 1,080 workers

Textile Rental Services Association, Los A n­
geles, CA; Laundry and Dry Cleaning Union,
3.000 workers

Transportation equipment

Public sector

Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc., Fort Worth,
TX; Automobile Workers, 2,800 workers

Huffy Corp., Celina, OH; Steelworkers,
1,667 workers
Rockwell International Corp., Aerospace
Group, interstate; Automobile Workers, 7,500
workers

58 Monthly Labor Review May 1993

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Transportation and public utilities
Baltimore Transit Authority (operators and
mechanics), Baltimore, M D; Transit Union
( a t u ), 2,100 workers
New Jersey Transit Authority, Maplewood,
N J; Transit Union ( a t u ), 4,000 workers

Aurora County public schools (teachers),
Aurora County, CO; Aurora Education Associ­
ation (N E A -In d .), 1,580 workers
Baltimore city public schools (paraprofessionals), Baltimore, M D; Teachers (a f t ), 1,600
workers
Baltimore city public schools (teachers), Bal­
timore, MD; Teachers (a f t ), 6,700 workers
Baltimore County Board of Education (cleri­
cal and aides), Baltimore County, M D; Educa­
tion (N E A -In d .), 1,100 workers
Baltimore County Board of Education
(maintenance and bus drivers), Baltimore
County, M D; State, County and Municipal Em­
ployees, 2,000 workers
Baltimore County Board of Education
(teachers), Baltimore County, M D; Education
(N E A -In d .), 6,800 workers

Teachers Association (N E A -In d .), 7,000 work­
ers

Bay County public schools (teachers), Bay
County, FL; Education (NEA-Ind.), 1,400
workers

Hamilton County public schools (teachers),
Hamilton County, TN; Education (N E A -In d .),
1,300 workers

Billings public schools (teachers and related
professionals), Billings, MT; Billings Education
Association (NEA-Ind.), 1,059 workers

Hawaii State public schools (teachers), H i;
statewide Teachers Association (N E A -In d .),
9,100 workers

Brevard County public schools (classified
workers), Brevard County, FL; Painters, 2,500
workers

H i; University of Hawaii Professional Assem­

California State University (unit 3-faculty),
California; California Faculty Association
(Ind.), 19,000 workers

Hayward Board of Education (teachers),
Hayward, c a ; Education (N E A -In d .), 1,000
workers

Palm Beach County public schools (teach­
ers), Palm Beach County, FL; Palm Beach
County Teachers Association (N E A -In d .),
7.100 workers

Carroll County Board of Education (teach­
ers), Carroll County, M D; Education (N E A Ind.), 1,367 workers

Hennepin County public schools (teachers),
Hennepin County, M N; Teachers (A FT), 1,200
workers

Pennsylvania State colleges (faculty and
administrators), PA; Teachers ( a f t ), 4,500
workers

Chattanooga public schools (teachers),
Chattanooga, TN; Education (NEA-Ind.),
1,400 workers

Howard County Board of Education (teach­
ers), Howard County, M D; Education (N E A Ind.), 2,200 workers

Clark County Board of Education (classi­
fied), Clark County, NV; Education Support
Employees Association (Ind.), 5,283 workers

Indiana State University (maintenance unit),
Bloomington, IN ; State, County and Municipal
Employees, 1,400 workers

Clark County Board of Education (teachers),
Clark County, NV; Clark County Classroom
Teachers Association (N E A -In d .), 6,586 work­
ers

Leon County public schools (teachers), Leon
County, FL; Education (N E A -In d .), 1,800
workers

Compton Board of Education (teachers),
Compton, c a ; Education (N E A -In d .), 1,300
workers
D a v e n p o rt p u b lic sch o o ls (te a c h ers), D a v e n ­
p o rt, IA ; E d u c a tio n (N E A -In d .), 1,250 w o rk e rs

Davis County Board of Education (classi­
fied), Davis County, UT; Utah School Em­
ployees Association (Ind.), 2,000 workers
Davis County Board of Education (teach­
ers), Davis County, UT; Davis County Educa­
tion Association (N E A -In d .), 2,400 workers
Eastern Oregon State College (general unit),
La Grande, OR; Service Employees, 2,350
workers

Escambia County public schools (teachers),
Escambia County, FL; Education (NEA-Ind.),
2,500 workers
Eugene public schools (teachers), Eugene,
OR; Education (N E A -In d .), 1,100 workers
E v an sv ille p u b lic sch o o ls (te a c h ers), E v a n s ­
ville, IN ; E d u c a tio n (N E A -In d .), 1,300 w o rk e rs

Florida State University (graduate assis­
tants), Tallahassee, FL; United Faculty of Flori­
da (N E A -In d .), 3,200 workers
Florida State University (operations ser­
vices), Tallahassee, FL; State, County and
Municipal Employees, 10,800 workers
Fontana Unified School District (teachers
and counselors), Fontana, c a ; Education
(N E A -In d .), 1,200 workers
Fresno public schools (clerical and teachers
aides), Fresno, CA; California State Employees
Association (SEIU), 1,700 workers


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Hawaii State University (faculty), Honolulu,
bly, 2,900 workers

Minneapolis Board of Education (teachers),
Minneapolis, M N; Teachers ( a f t ), 3,000
workers
Minnesota State community colleges (facul­
ty), M N; Minnesota College Faculty Associ­
ation (Ind.), 2,300 workers
Montgomery County Board of Education
(school support
services),
Montgomery
County, M D; Montgomery County Council of
Supporting Service Employees (Ind.), 6,500
workers

Orange Unified School District (teachers
and administrators), Orange County, CA;
Orange Unified Education Association (Ind.),
1,150 workers
Orleans Parish public schools (teachers),
Orleans Parish, LA; Teachers (A FT), 5,034
workers

pa

Pennsylvania State University (technical),
; Teamsters, 2,500 workers

Phoenix Union High School District (teach­
ers), Education (N E A -In d .), 1,270 workers
Pinellas County public schools (clerical), Pi­
nellas County, FL; Education (N E A -In d .),
1,300 workers
Portland public schools (custodians, bus
drivers, crafts, and trades), Portland, OR;
District Council Union of Trade and Service
Employees (Ind.), 1,900 workers
Portland public schools (classified), Port­
land, OR; Portland Federation of Teachers and
Classified Employees (Ind.), 1,400 workers
Richmond Unified School District (noninstructional employees), Richmond, CA; Public
Employees Association (Ind.); 1,000 workers

Richmond Unified School District (teach­
ers), Richmond, CA; Education (NEA-Ind.),
1,350 workers

Montgomery County Board of Education
(teachers), Montgomery County, M D; Educa­
tion (N E A -In d .), 7,200 workers

Rochester Board of Education (classified),
Rochester, NY; State, County and Municipal
Employees, 1,400 workers

Moreno Valley Unified School District (cer­
tificated personnel), Moreno Valley, CA; More­
no Valley Education Association (N E A -In d .),
1,200 workers

Rosemount-Apple Valley-Eagan School
Board (teachers), Rosemount, M N; Rosemount
Federation of Teachers (N E A -In d .), 1,250
workers

Nashville public schools (teachers), Nash­
ville, TN ; Metropolitan Nashville Education
Association (N E A -In d .), 4,300 workers

Salem public schools (classified employees),
Salem, OR; Oregon Employees Association
(Ind.), 1,000 workers

New Rochelle public schools (teachers and
related employees), New Rochelle, NY; New
York Federation of United School Employees
(Ind.), 1,000 workers

Salem public schools (teachers), Salem, OR;
Education (N E A -In d .), 1,500 workers

Okaloosa County public schools (teachers
aides, cafeteria, bus drivers, clerical, and custo­
dial), Okaloosa County, FL; Education (N E A Ind.), 1,150 workers
Oklahoma City Board of Education (support
group), Oklahoma City, OK; A FT (formerly
Oklahoma Federation of Classified Employees-Ind.), 1,750 workers
Orange County public schools (teachers),
Orange County, FL; Orange County Classroom

Salt Lake City public schools (teachers), Salt
Lake City, UT; Salt Lake Teachers Association
(Ind.), 1,300 workers
Seminole County Board of Education
(teachers), Seminole County, FL; Education
(N E A -In d .), 2,300 workers
Shawnee Mission public schools (teachers),
Shawnee Mission, KS; Education (N E A -In d .),
2.100 workers
South Dakota Board of Regents State Col­
leges, Pierre, SD; Education (N E A -In d .), 1,500
workers

Monthly Labor Review May 1993 59

Major Agreements Expiring Next Month
St. Louis County public schools (teachers),
St. Louis County, MN; Duluth Federation of
Teachers ( a f t ), 1,100 workers

Hawaii State (blue collar unit-12), state­
wide; State, County and Municipal Employees,
7,700 workers

Pennsylvania State (clerical), statewide;
State, County and Municipal Employees, 1,650
workers

St. Paul Board of Education (teachers), St.
Paul, M N; St. Paul Federation of Teachers
( a f t ), 2,600 workers

Hawaii State (nonsupervisory white collarunit 3), statewide; State, County and Municipal
Employees, 11,000 workers

Pennsylvania State (clerical, administrative,
and fiscal), statewide; State, County and Mu­
nicipal Employees, 16,650 workers

Sweetwater High School District (teachers),
Chula Vista, c a ; Education (N E A -In d .), 1,400
workers

Hawaii State (professional and scientificunit 13), statewide; State, County and
Municipal Employees, 4,600 workers

Tucson public schools (teachers), Tucson,

Iowa State (blue collar), statewide; State,
County
and Municipal Employees, 6,000
workers

Pennsylvania State (engineers, scientists,
and nonsupervisory professionals), statewide;
State, County and Municipal Employees, 1,150
workers

AZ; Education (NEA-Ind.), 3,200 workers

University of Connecticut (faculty), Storrs,
CT; University Professors (Ind.), 1,300 workers

University of Maine (faculty), Bangor, ME;
Education (NEA-Ind.), 1,250 workers
University of Massachusetts (professionals),
Amherst, MA; Service Employees, 1,100
workers
University of Minnesota (cafeteria, custo­
dians, and maintenance), St. Paul, M N; Team­
sters, 1,650 workers
University of Wisconsin (teaching and pro­
gram assistants), Madison, wi; Teachers ( a f t ),
2,300 workers
Utica Community schools (teachers), Utica,
M I, Education (N E A -In d .), 1,200 workers
Volusia County public schools (custodians,
cafeteria, maintenance, and bus drivers), Volu­
sia County, FL; State, County and Municipal
Employees, 1,452 workers
Washington County public schools (teach­
ers), Washington County, M D; Education
(N E A -In d .), 1,100 workers
Waterbury public schools (teachers and
related professionals), Waterbury, CT; Educa­
tion (N E A -In d .), 1,100 workers
Woodbridge public schools (teachers, re­
lated professionals, and support personnel),
Woodbridge, NJ; Woodbridge Township Edu­
cation Association (Ind.), 1,450 workers

Public administration
Albuquerque (general unit), Albuquerque,
NM ; State, County and Municipal Employees,

1,356 workers
Anne Arundel County (general unit), Anne
Arundel County, MD; State, County and Mu­
nicipal Employees, 1,220 workers
Baltimore County (white collar), Baltimore
County, MD; State, County and Municipal Em­
ployees, 1,800 workers
Clark County (general unit), Clark County,
NV; Clark County Public Employees Associ­
ation (Ind.), 2,500 workers
Cuyahoga County Welfare Department
(general unit), Cuyahoga County, OH; State,
County and Municipal Employees, 1,560
workers

60 Monthly Labor Review May 1993

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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

Iowa State (clerical), statewide; State,
County
and Municipal Employees, 6,400
workers
Iowa State (fiscal and staff), statewide; State,
County
and Municipal Employees, 1,000
workers

Pennsylvania State (first level supervisory),
statewide; State, County and Municipal Em­
ployees, 4,500 workers
Pennsylvania State (human services), state­
wide; State, County and Municipal Employees,
15,400 workers
Pennsylvania State (liquor store clerks-unit
M l), statewide; Food and Commercial Workers,

2,500 workers
Iowa State (professional social services), sta­
tewide; State, County and Municipal Em­
ployees, 2,000 workers
Iowa State (technical), statewide; State,
County
and Municipal Employees, 6,000
workers
Las Vegas (general unit), Las Vegas, NV; Las
Vegas Employees Association (Ind.), 1,000
workers
Minnesota State (professionals), statewide;
Minnesota Association of Professional Em­
ployees (Ind.), 6,833 workers
Minnesota State (general unit), statewide;
State, County and Municipal Employees,
18,936 workers
Minnesota State (general supervisory), state­
wide; Middle Management Association (Ind.),
2,600 workers
Monterey County (various classifications),
Monterey County, CA; Service Employees,
1,450 workers
Montgomery County (office, professional,
and technical), Montgomery County, MD;
Food and Commercial Workers, 2,300 workers
Montgomery County (service, labor, and
trades), Montgomery County, M D; Food and
Commercial Workers, 1,300 workers
Nebraska State (maintenance trades and
technical), statewide; State, County and Munic­
ipal Employees, 9,000 workers

Pennsylvania State (maintenance and
trades), statewide; State, County and Municipal
Employees, 10,900 workers
Pennsylvania State (nonprofessional techni­
cal), statewide; State, County and Municipal
Employees, 1,800 workers
Pennsylvania State (nonsupervisory nonpro­
fessional inspection, investigation, and safety),
statewide; State, County and Municipal Em­
ployees, 1,200 workers
Pennsylvania State (professional, adminis­
trative, and fiscal), statewide; State, County and
Municipal Employees, 1,600 workers
Pennsylvania State (supervisory mainte­
nance and trades employees), statewide; State,
County and Municipal Employees, 1,400
workers
Riverside County (clerical support services),
Riverside County, c a ; Riverside County Em­
ployees Association (Ind.), 3,000 workers
Riverside County (inspection and techni­
cians), Riverside County, CA; Riverside
County Employees Association (Ind.), 1,000
workers
Riverside County (professionals), Riverside
County, CA; Riverside County Employees
Association (Ind.), 1,200 workers
Riverside County (trades, crafts, and labor­
ers), Riverside County, c a ; Riverside County
Employees Association (Ind.), 1,000 workers

Orange County (clerical), Orange County,
CA; Orange County Employees Association
(Ind.), 3,200 workers

San Bernardino County (administrative and
services), San Bernardino County, CA; San Ber­
nardino Public Employees Association (Ind.),
1,000 workers

Orange County (general unit), Orange
County, CA; Orange County Employees Asso­
ciation (Ind.), 2,850 workers

San Bernardino County (clerical), San Ber­
nardino County, c a ; San Bernardino Public
Employees Association (Ind.), 2,300 workers

Orange County (management supervisors),
Orange County, CA; Orange County Em­
ployees Association (Ind.), 1,200 workers

San Bernardino County (professionals), San
Bernardino County, CA; San Bernardino Public
Employees Association (Ind.), 1,150 workers

Oregon State (general unit), statewide; Ser­
vice Employees, 17,000 workers

San Bernardino County (technicians and
inspectors), San Bernardino County, CA; San

Bernardino Public Employees Association
(Ind.), 1,850 workers
San Diego city (maintenance, skilled trades,
and heavy equipment operators), San Diego,
CA; State, County and Municipal Employees,
2,100 workers
San Diego city (white collar), San Diego, CA;
, Municipal Employees Association (Ind.),
3,700 workers
San Jose (clerical and support staff), San
Jose, CA; State, County and Municipal Em­
ployees, 2,100 workers
Toledo (general unit), Toledo, OH; State,
County and Municipal Employees, 1,000
workers
Ventura County (general unit), Ventura
County, CA; Service Employees, 4,300 workers
Wisconsin State (blue collar), statewide;
State, County and Municipal Employees, 4,615
workers
Wisconsin State (clerical and related), state­
wide; State, County and Municipal Employees,
7,997 workers
Wisconsin State (engineers), staewide; Engi­
neers and Architects (Ind.), 1,125 workers
Wisconsin State (science professionals),
statewide; Teachers (A FT), 1,100 workers


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Wisconsin State (social services), statewide;
State, County and Municipal Employees, 2,200
workers
Wisconsin State (technical employees),
statewide; State, County and Municipal
Employees, 5,036 workers

Protective services

Hawaii State (firefighters-unit 11), Hawaii;
Fire Fighters, 1,550 workers
Hawaii State (police), Hawaii; State of
Hawaii Organization of Police (Ind.), 2,000
workers
Indiana State (police), Indiana; Indiana
State Police Alliance, Conservation, and Excise
Coalition, Inc. (Ind.), 1,160 workers

;

Iowa State (security), Iowa; State, County
and Municipal Employees, 2,000 workers

Baltimore city (police), Baltimore, MD;
Police (F O P -In d .), 3,000 workers

New Jersey (state troopers), New Jersey;
State Troopers Fraternal Association of New
Jersey, Inc., 1,450 workers

Baltimore city (firefighters), Baltimore,
Fire Fighters, 1,450 workers

m d

Baltimore County (firefighters), Baltimore
County, M D; Fire Fighters, 1,000 workers
Baltimore County (police), Baltimore
County, M D; Police (F O P -In d .), 1,400 workers

Pennsylvania State (nonsupervisory correc­
tional officers and aides), Pennsylvania; State,
County and Municipal Employees, 1,900
workers

Connecticut State (police), Connecticut;
Connecticut State Police Union (Ind.), 1,000
workers

Riverside County (sheriffs and correction of­
ficers), Riverside County, CA; Riverside
County Sheriffs Association (Ind.), 13,765
workers

Florida State (law enforcement), Florida;
Florida Police Benevolent Association (Ind.),
2,700 workers

San Diego city (police), San Diego, CA;
Public Officers Association (Ind.), 1,800
workers

Florida State (security and correction offi­
cers), Florida; Police Benevolent Association
(Ind.), 13,765 workers

Wisconsin State (public safety and security),
Wisconsin; State, County and Municipal Em­
ployees, 3,600 workers

Monthly Labor Review May 1993

61

Developments
in industrial
relations
Boeing settles on second try
Members of the Seattle Professional
Engineering Employees Association,
in a second ratification vote, accepted
the same 3-year collective bargain­
ing agreements they rejected last
December. The pacts covered about
15,000 scientists and engineers and
13,400 technical employees in Cali­
fornia, Florida, Oregon, Texas, Utah,
and Washington.
Wages, cost-of-living adjustments,
medical benefits, and job security
were key bargaining issues in the
negotiations. The union had sought
salary adjustments to bring engineers’
and technical workers’ pay up to in­
dustry averages, full cost-of-living
protection, improved health care
coverage, an agency fee provision
requiring nonunion workers to pay
for the services the union must pro­
vide as their bargaining agent, time
and one-half or double-time for over­
time, and career development for
professional employees.
Terms of the contract for the tech­
nical unit called for general wage in­
creases of 4 percent in the first year
and 2 percent in each of the following
2 years, as well as selective salary ad­
justments (potential merit pay in­
creases) of 5 percent in the first year
and 3 percent in each of the following
2 years. The agreement for the profes­
sional unit provided selective wage
adjustments of 3 percent in December
1992 and June 1993, followed by four
semiannual adjustments of 2.5 per­
cent. In addition, both contracts con­
tinued cost-of-living clauses and in­
cluded, in the first year, a lump-sum
“Developments in Industrial Relations” is pre­
pared by Michael H. Cimini and Susan L.
Behrmann o f the Division of Developments in
Labor-Management Relations, Bureau of
Labor Statistics, and is largely based on infor­
mation from secondary sources.

62

bonus equal to 6 percent of an em­
ployee’s qualified earnings.
Boeing agreed to continue to pay
the full costs of medical and dental
coverage for employees and their
dependents, with no change in de­
ductibles. Negotiators made several
changes in medical and dental
benefits, some involving cost-contain­
ment measures. They agreed to offer
a preferred provider organization
health care plan with 100-percent
coverage after the employee reaches
the deductible. The parties increased
employee copayments for health in­
surance benefits from 20 percent to 30
percent of costs for nonpreferred pro­
vider physicians and hospitals in areas
with preferred provider organiza­
tions, with maximum out-of-pocket
expenses of $1,000 for individual
coverage and $2,000 for family
coverage. Negotiators established a
preferred pharmacy drug card pro­
gram, with reimbursement at 90 per­
cent for purchases of generic drugs
and 80 percent for brand name drugs
when the drug card is used and 70 per­
cent when the drug card is not used;
instituted a new referral service for
substance abuse, mental health, and
eating disorders, effective in May
1993; and enhanced dental benefits by
updating the covered benefit amounts
and increasing the annual dental max­
imum from $1,500 to $2,000 and the
lifetime orthodontic maximum from
$1,500 to $1,700.
The parties negotiated several
changes in other benefit areas. Em­
ployees would be paid for half of
unused sick leave accrued at the time
of retirement or death. They also
would receive the highest retirement
benefits calculated by the basic benefit
formula, the current alternate formu­
la, or the pre-1989 alternate benefit
formula. Employees opting for basic
formula benefits would receive $35 a

Monthly Lahor Review May 1993


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

month, up from $30, for each year of
credited service. Participants in the
Voluntary Investment Plan would
have more flexible rollover options to
contribute to, or withdraw from, IRA’s
and other qualified plans, would be
able to borrow up to 50 percent of the
total vested value of their accounts,
and would be eligible to carry two
loans against their accounts at one
time.
Other terms retained the mainte­
nance of membership clause, but with
one open period instead of two; pro­
vided 36 holidays over the term of the
contract; eliminated the union’s right
to grieve jurisdictional disputes; es­
tablished a joint committee on Over­
sight of Cooperative Initiatives, such
as career enhancement, alcohol and
drug abuse, and performance man­
agement; removed the labor grade re­
duction provision in the professional
unit’s contract; and enhanced union
security provisions.
Boeing recently completed a year­
long program cutting 9,000 jobs
through attrition and layoffs. The
company also recently announced
that it would cut between 15,000 and
20,000 additional jobs this year and
expects to eliminate more next year.
The reductions result from the elimi­
nation of three missile programs, the
scaling back of production of the B-2
stealth bomber, and cutbacks in the
production of the 737 commercial jet.
Rohr, Machinists settle
Negotiators for Rohr Industries, Inc.
and Locals 755 and 964 of the Inter­
national Association of Machinists
signed 3-year collective bargaining
agreements covering 3,170 pro­
duction and maintenance workers in
Riverside and Chula Vista, CA. Rohr
manufactures engine systems and
components for aircraft and solid
rocket motors.

The contracts called for lump-sum
bonuses of $600 in April 1993 and
$1,000 in August 1993; wage in­
creases of 2.5 percent in August 1994
and 3 percent in August 1995; and
continuation of a cost-of-living clause
that provides quarterly adjustments
equal to 1 cent an hour for each
0.3-point increase in the Consumer
Price Index for Wage Earners and
Clerical Workers (CPI-W).
The parties agreed to offer
employees a choice of four health care
plans, including the Aetna Select
Choice 80 Percent Plan. This plan
features primary care physicians asso­
ciated with hospitals and medical
groups in San Diego County, with em­
ployee copayments of 20 percent, to a
maximum of $850 annually per in­
dividual and $1,700 per family, a $10
copayment for doctor’s office visits, a
$15 emergency room copayment, and
a $10 prescription copayment. Nego­
tiators also replaced one of their
dental plans with a new optional pre­
paid dental plan and retained the
Rohr dental plan with no further
employee contributions.
Negotiators changed several other
benefits: they increased the monthly
pension rate, from $30 to $33 per year
of credited service; boosted life
insurance and optional accidental
death and dismemberment benefits
from $16,000 to $19,000; and estab­
lished an optional long-term disability
plan, with two-thirds pay for up to 90
days and a 50-50 split of premiums.
Bargainers also raised employees’
maximum weekly investment in the
savings plan, from $30 to $35, and
reduced Rohr’s matching of em­
ployees’ investment in the plan, from
50 to 25 percent.
Other terms included changing and
combining job classifications, which
may result in upgrades for many
employees; improving paid vacations
and vacation accrual; eliminating the
required 5-day notice for personal
leave; and enhancing provisions for
transfer requests, leave of absence,
and seniority rights in layoffs.
Container manufacturers settle
The United Steelworkers’ Container
Industry Conference approved settle­


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

ments with two major container man­
ufacturers, American National Can
Co. and Crown, Cork, and Seal Co.
The 5-year collective bargaining
agreements cover nearly 4,000 pro­
duction and maintenance workers
nationwide.
The pacts called for wage increases
of 1 percent in 1995 and 1996, and
quarterly cost-of-living adjustments
(COLA’s) equal to 1 cent an hour for
each 0.3-point increase in the Con­
sumer Price Index for Wage Earners
and Clerical Workers. COLA pay­
ments in the first 2 years will be
rolled-in to the basic wage rates in the
third year.
Negotiators made several changes
in health care. At American National
Can, they instituted a new managed
health care plan, including substance
abuse and psychiatric treatment pro­
grams, with participants’ costs lim­
ited to $10 per office visit and non­
participants’ costs to 10 percent of
medical expenses up to a maximum of
$1,000 a year for single coverage and
$2,000 a year for family coverage.
Employees in areas where a managed
health care program cannot be estab­
lished would retain “first dollar cover­
age.”
The contract continued the group
health care plan at Crown, Cork, and
Seal, but made some modifications.
Negotiators added substance abuse
and psychiatric treatment programs,
increased the lifetime maximum on
major medical benefits from $50,000
to $500,000, established annual
maximum out-of-pocket expenses of
$1,000 for individual coverage and
$1,500 for family coverage, and raised
the annual deductible from $50 to
$100 per individual.
Other changes in benefits included
a $3 increase in the monthly pension
rate (to between $27.50 and $31.50 at
American National Can and $28.50
and $32.50 at Crown, Cork, and Seal)
per year of credited service, a $14,000
increase (to $40,000) in life insurance
benefits, a $75 increase (to between
$310 and $370 a week) in accident and
sickness benefits, and a $3,500 in­
crease (to $7,500) in accidental death
and dismemberment benefits. The
contract also established joint com­
mittees to study issues related to job

security, productivity, and labormanagement communications.
Flight attendants settle at USAir
Negotiators for USAir and the Asso­
ciation of Flight Attendants ended 12
days of marathon bargaining sessions
with agreement on a 45-month labor
contract, covering some 9,000 flight
attendants nationwide. The major
sticking points in negotiations were
the carrier’s proposals to cut wage
rates temporarily, force new em­
ployees to contribute to health care
costs and pension funding, and
extract other cost-saving measures.
Negotiations began in the summer
of 1989 to replace a contract that
became amendable in August of that
year. The talks were conducted under
the Railway Labor Act, the Federal
law that governs collective bargaining
in the airline industry. The settlement
was reached with the assistance of the
National Mediation Board, the Fed­
eral agency that administers the act.
The pact called for 1-year wage cuts
of up to 2.9 percent for senior (Ascale) flight attendants and of less
than 1 percent for less senior (B-scale)
flight attendants, followed by wage in­
creases in April 1994, January 1995,
and January 1996 that would raise
USAir flight attendants’ pay to indus­
try standards. In addition, the con­
tract would halt the longevity pro­
gression for senior flight attendants at
their current step for 1 year, and add a
14th step to their progression after
that year.
The contract also established a
managed health care plan identical to
the one negotiated by the Pilots and
Machinists, the two other unions at
the carrier, with employee contribu­
tions of $38 a month for participants
for family coverage and $107 a month
for nonparticipants. The terms also
included new stock-option and profitsharing plans to compensate flight
attendants for the 1-year pay and
benefit cuts; use of the highest
earnings in 3 of the last 10 years,
instead of only the last year, to com­
pute pension benefits; an agreement to
allow pregnant flight attendants to
continue working until a doctor
certifies disability; and a 9-month

Monthly Labor Review

May 1993

63

Developments in Industrial Relations
moratorium on imposing the carrier’s
weight restrictions policy.
US Air had settled in 1992 with the
Air Line Pilots Association and the
Machinists. The parties traded off
similar cost-saving measures, such as
1-year wage cuts, benefit contribu­
tions, and work rules changes, for
enhanced job security and stockoption and profit-sharing plans. (See
Monthly Labor Review, August 1992,
pp. 60-61 and January 1993, p. 28.)

Shipyard agreement
Litton Industries’ Ingalls Shipbuild­
ing Division and the Metal Trades
Council, bargaining for nine local
unions, reached agreement on a
3-year labor contract covering some
10,000 workers at the company’s
shipyard in Pascagoula, MS. The
unions represented by the council
included locals of the Boilermakers
and Forgers; Plumbers and Pipefit­
ters; Machinists; Operating Engi­
neers; Sheet Metal Workers; Labor­
ers; Teamsters; Carpenters and Join­
ers; and Painters.
Terms of the new contract called
for wage increases of 55 cents an hour
immediately, 32 cents an hour in Feb­
ruary 1994, and 35 cents an hour in
February 1995. At the time the new
contract was signed, the average wage
rate for these metal trades workers
was $12.48 an hour.
Negotiators changed several bene­
fits. They froze the defined contribu­
tion pension plan and established a
tax-deferred supplemental pension in­
vestment program effective in June
1993, under which employees can in­
vest up to 14 percent of their earnings
(the company will not make matching
contributions); increased employee
payments toward health insurance
premiums by $10 over the term of the
contract (to $35 a month); changed
deductibles for major medical bene­
fits, from $300 for single coverage and
$400 for family coverage to a flat rate
of $325 for all types of coverage; and
increased life insurance benefits from
$15,000 to $18,000 and weekly sick­
ness and accident benefits from $160
to $175 over the term.
64

Nursing homes approve accord
Negotiators for Beverly Enterprises,
the Nation’s largest nursing home
chain, and three locals of the Service
Employees International Union sign­
ed 3-year collective bargaining agree­
ments covering 1,500 workers at 18
nursing homes in Pennsylvania. The
union hoped to use the settlements,
which provide wage and health care
benefit increases and funding for po­
tential pension plans, as a pattern for
contracts that cover an additional
3,500 nursing home employees in
Pennsylvania. The major sticking
point in negotiations involved the
union’s proposal to establish a pen­
sion plan.
The contracts called for wage in­
creases ranging from between 21 per­
cent and 41 percent over the term of
the agreement, with larger increases
going to employees of four recently
organized nursing homes. The aver­
age hourly rate for employees at
previously organized homes ranged
between $6.50 and $7.50.
Although the unions were unable to
negotiate a defined benefit pension
plan, the company agreed to begin
contributing 5 cents per hour for each
employee in the second year of the
contract and 10 cents per hour in the
third year, while the company
conducts a pension plan feasibility
study. The funds initially would be
put in a savings plan, bank account, or
other mutually acceptable investment
until the company completes its re­
view of the pension proposal. The
company’s agreement to contribute to
an investment program “sets the stage
for establishing a pension, something
that...has been missing in the private,
for-profit nursing home sector,” ac­
cording to the union’s chief nego­
tiator.
The union also was able to negoti­
ate enhanced health care benefits and
extend them to all employees. Em­
ployees under the optional health
maintenance organization plans,
which have been established only in
urban areas, would have their biweek­
ly contributions toward health insur­
ance premiums reduced from varying
levels to $15 for single coverage, $20
for an employee with one child, $30

Monthly Labor Review May 1993


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

for an employee and spouse, and $40
for family coverage. Effective in July
1994, equivalent benefits will be pro­
vided to employees in rural areas.
The settlement also called for each
nursing home to establish a health and
safety committee with authority to
investigate conditions and make rec­
ommendations subject to the con­
tracts’ grievance procedures; en­
hanced sick leave policy; and im­
proved paid vacations.
Wage cuts pave way for buyout
Members of two locals of the United
Food and Commercial Workers rati­
fied collective bargaining agreements
providing for wage cuts necessary to
ensure a buyout by the Great Atlantic
& Pacific Tea Co. (A&P) of Grand
Union Co.’s 48 Big Star grocery stores
in the Atlanta, GA, area.
A&P previously had a small market
share in the Atlanta area, with only 16
stores, and needed additional stores to
compete more effectively with Kroger
and Winn-Dixie, the area’s two
largest grocery chains.
The company had indicated that it
would sell off its stores, possibly to a
nonunion operator, or close the
stores. The unions’ main objective in
the negotiations was to save as much
wages as possible and maintain health
and welfare benefits, according to the
president of Local 442, which bar­
gained for nearly 700 meat, deli,
bakery, and seafood department em­
ployees.
Terms of the pacts called for wage
reductions of up to $2.65 an hour (to
$8.30 an hour) in the top rate for retail
clerks, with most clerks taking an
hourly wage cut of between 10 cents
and 50 cents. Higher pay scales for
meat, deli, bakery,
and
seafood de­
partment
employees would
be
changed from those based on straight
time wage rates and sales volume to
pay scales based exclusively on
straight time wage rates, with reduc­
tions in rates for most job classifica­
tions. As such, journeylevel meatcutters’ pay would drop about $2.15
an hour, while junior meatcutters’
rates would increase by about 5 cents
to 10 cents an hour.

Teamsters settle at Gwaltney
Gwaltney of Smithfield and Local 822
of the Teamsters signed a 4-year col­
lective bargaining agreement covering
1,800 production and maintenance
employees and truck drivers at the
company’s plants in Smithfield and
Portsmouth, VA. Gwaltney is a meat­
packing company headquartered in
Smithfield.
The settlement provided general
wage increases of 25 cents an hour ret­
roactive to February 5, 1993, 25 cents
an hour in February 1994 and 1995,
and 40 cents an hour in February
1996. In addition, the interplant
driver job classification was upgraded
and its base rate was raised from $7.56
to $9.51 an hour. At the expiration of
the previous contract, hourly wage
rates ranged from $6.76 to $8.38 for
production workers and from $7.96 to
$11.79 for maintenance workers.
Negotiators made several modifica­
tions in health and welfare benefits.
They increased lifetime maximum
medical benefits over the term of the
contract from $25,000 to $100,000;
disability benefits from $60 to $75 a
week; the monthly pension rate for fu­
ture service from $8 to $10 per year of
credited service; and life insurance
benefits from $12,000 to $14,000. The
parties increased employees’ share of
health insurance premiums over the
term, from no cost to $4.50 a week for
single coverage, from $1.75 to $6.25 a
week for an employee with two or
fewer dependents, and from $2.93 to
$8.25 a week for an employee with
more than two dependents. They also
increased the health insurance de­
ductible over the term from $100 per
person to $175 for single coverage and
$400 for family coverage; and modi­
fied the employee copayment for pre­
scription drugs, from $5 per prescrip­
tion to 10 percent of prescription costs
for generic drugs and 20 percent for
brand names, up to $5 and $10,
respectively, for a 90-day supply.
Accord at

GTE

North

Negotiators for GTE North in Wiscon­
sin and the Communications Workers
signed a 3-year collective bargaining
agreement covering about 1,250
service, engineering and construction,


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

and supply department employees
and office-clerical workers.
The contracts provided wage in­
creases of 4 percent immediately, 4
percent in January 1994, and 2
percent in January and July 1995. In
addition, the settlements upgraded
several job classifications, including
establishing new jobs such as facility
technician and customer care tech­
nician.
The negotiators made several mod­
ifications in benefits. These changes
included an increase in employees’
health care copayments from 10 per­
cent to 20 percent; the addition of a
new supplemental health care pro­
gram for employees aged 60 to 65; and
an increase in annual pension bene­
fits, from $8,850 to $10,000 for em­
ployees with 40 years of service, from
$6,750 to $7,600 for employees with
30 to 35 years of service, and from
$3,600 to $4,000 for employees with
between 15 and 20 years of service.
Other benefit terms included optional
lump-sum pension payoffs; a “living
benefit” provision under life insur­
ance coverage; and optional long­
term disability coverage.
Tropicana negotiates child care

age, while retirees’ weekly premiums
were increased to $15 and $30, from
between $9 and $25. The annual de­
ductible was boosted over the term by
$50, to $150, for single coverage and
by $150, to $450, for family coverage.
A $3,000 maximum “out-of-pocket”
expense limit was established for
family coverage. Other changes in­
cluded a $250,000 increase (to
$750,000) in lifetime maximum medi­
cal benefits; a $200 increase, to
$1,200, in lifetime maximum orth­
odontic benefits; a $5 increase in the
vision benefit schedule; and increased
reimbursement for generic drugs.
Negotiators agreed to several en­
hancements in other benefits. Life in­
surance coverage was increased by
$5,000, to $20,000, for active em­
ployees and $1,000, to $8,500, for
retirees. In addition, accidental death
and dismemberment benefits were
raised $10,000, to $40,000 and weekly
disability benefits were boosted by
$30-$60, to $230-$260. The pension
plan was enhanced by adding survi­
vors benefits for dependent children
of deceased employees who were
vested participants in the pension
plan.
Settlements at TWA

Members of Local 173 of the Team­
sters ratified a 3-year collective bar­
gaining agreement with Tropicana
Products, Inc. that provides child
care assistance for the first time for
the 1,700 workers at the company’s
plants in Bradenton and Fort Pierce,
FL. Under terms of the pact, Tropica­
na would provide referral, follow-up,
and educational services through
Project Child Care.
The contract also called for general
wage increases of 4 percent in the first
year and 3 percent in the second and
third years, and annual lump-sum bo­
nuses equal to 1 percent of an em­
ployee’s gross earnings. The hourly
wage rates ranged from $8.70 to
$13.45 before the first wage increase
took effect.
The contract includes several
changes in health care provisions. Ac­
tive employees’ weekly premiums for
health insurance were increased from
$2.25 to $3.25 over the term of the
agreement for single coverage and
from $4.50 to $6.50 for family cover­

Approximately 25,000 unionized em­
ployees at TWA, represented by the
Air Line Pilots Association, the Inter­
national Association of Machinists,
and the Independent Federation of
Flight Attendants, ratified 3-year col­
lective bargaining agreements that are
expected to help the carrier emerge
from Federal bankruptcy court pro­
tection it has been under since
January 1992. The pacts also required
approval from the Pension Benefit
Guaranty Corporation because of the
carrier’s alleged $1.2 billion underfunding of employee pension plans.
Terms of the agreements call for
majority owner and chairman Carl
Icahn to relinquish control of the car­
rier to its creditors and employees in
exchange for a 15-percent cut in
wages and benefits and changes in
work rules advantageous to the air­
line. TWA’s creditors previously had
agreed to waive approximately $1
billion of the $1.5 billion owed in
exchange for 55 percent of the
carrier’s equity.
□

Monthly Labor Review May 1993

65

Book
reviews

Miners, well off?
Soft Coal, Hard Choices: The Econom­
ic Welfare of Bituminous Coal Min­
ers, 1890-1930. By Price V. Fishback. New York, Oxford Universi­
ty Press, Inc., 1992,279 pp. $39.95.
An economist, according to one anec­
dote, looks at something that works
and wonders if it would apply in
theory. This book, written from an
econometric or cliometric view­
point-stressing hard empirical eco­
nomic data to describe historical
events —could be described similarly.
Author Price V. Fishback claims he
has destroyed many myths other
scholars have created about the lives
and culture of coal miners in the
United States. His hypotheses offer
new insights into the study of the eco­
nomic history of the coal industry, but
they supplement what we already
know about the life and work of min­
ers, rather than provide the definitive
answer to questions about this aspect
of labor history.
As the title implies, Fishback con­
tends that labor market participants in
the soft coal, or bituminous, industry
at the turn of the century fared better
than workers in most manufacturing
settings and had conscious alterna­
tives to employment in the mines.
Based on his findings, high wages,
guaranteed housing in rural areas, suf­
ficient leisure time, and considerable
control over the work process made
employment in the industry attractive
to unskilled and skilled workers.
In contrast to these conditions were
economic fluctuations in real earning
power, poor living conditions in some
communities, minimal exploitation at
66 Monthly Labor Review May 1993

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the infamous “company store,” and
dangerous working conditions. But
miners could express their discontent
by leaving worksites for better em­
ployment prospects or by unioniza­
tion and collective action, according
to Fishback.
Fishback uses a wealth of qualita­
tive and quantitative resources to
construct this thesis. He has placed his
econometric model against the theo­
ries of other scholars and through
extensive analysis, refutes most of
their findings that miners toiled under
a system of industrial serfdom. Unfor­
tunately, this provocatively written
analysis does not prove its stated
purpose. The author’s chapter conclu­
sions are filled with inconclusive
statements that quantitative and qual­
itative data compilations “possibly
show,” “might explain,” and “could
be the reasons for” a variety of aspects
of worklife. This type of analysis raises
more questions than it answers. The
book claims its goal is to combine the
old and new economic histories, but
that link is never formed.
In fact, the findings of other schol­
ars appear to be misinterpreted in
some instances to fit the author’s mod­
el. For example, particular issue is tak­
en with David Corbin’s findings in
Life, Work, and Rebellion: The South­
ern West Virginia Miners, 1880-1922,
concerning abysmal conditions that
led miners to join the United Mine
Workers of America (UMWA) despite
opposition from mine owners who
used mercenary police. According to
Fishback, even Corbin’s pro-union
sympathies cannot conceal the prefer­
ence of some West Virginia coal min­
ers for company-sponsored benefits
over those offered by the UMWA as

proof that conditions were not that
bad in the coal communities. But Cor­
bin’s statement was that Appalachian
coal diggers were fiercely independent
despite being among the staunchest
UMWA members. Soft Coal, Hard
Choices tends to cloud analysis to fit a
preordained prescription.
Following this pattern, some facets
of the story appear to have been
omitted. For example, Fishback at­
tributes improved conditions and
benefits in many coal mine communi­
ties not necessarily to “welfare capital­
ism,” but to good business practices of
protecting and maintaining a valuable
commodity—the labor factor in the
employer-employee equation. He cor­
rectly notes that this is intended to
provide a quality work site and better
than average working conditions to
counter benefits offered by the UMWA.
But Fishback fails to mention that
many employers even worked with the
UMWA to avoid the more radical de­
mands of the anticapitalist Industrial
Workers of the World, known as the
Wobblies.
The major problem with this work
is not its research, but its format and
use of the data findings. Cliometric
analysis is not a new concept. It gained
limited popularity in the early 1970’s
and reached a benchmark in 1974 with
the publication of Robert Fogel and
Stanely Engerman’s highly controver­
sial Time on the Cross. Fogel and Engerman concluded that African-Ameri­
can slaves, based on plantation and
local government documentation, suf­
fered far less than the historical record
has led us to believe.
The authors claimed that some in­
dentures actually lived fairly well for
their particular historical period, and

better than some poor white workingclass individuals. Yet it is hard to fath­
om a just and democratic system of
enslavement, regardless of socioeco­
nomic status. Like the slaves, some
coal miners may have had a better
place on the economic ladder of the
American industrial system than pre­
viously acknowledged, but the condi­
tions of coal communities, for the
most part, were below accepted stan­
dards of decency.
This book warrants reading, and
has a definite place in labor historio­
graphy and labor economics. The idyl­
lic workplaces of the original factory
system at Lowell and Waltham, MA,
were a far cry from the exploitive sys­
tem of child labor that developed later.
The textile, transportation, and min­
ing industries began workplace re­
forms that provided a framework for
protective labor legislation in the New
Deal period of the 1930’s.
But reform merged from a pressing
need to correct the evils of an unregu­
lated system of which the coal indus­
try was a vital part. This work should
be read with caution. In the words of
the late Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall, its “analytical sleightof-handedness” should be evident to
the reader. Soft Coal, Hard Choices
illustrates that coal families in the ear­
ly part of the 20th century had some
rights and choices in their work, but
the process was dramatically more
arduous and economic freedom less
abundant than this book claims.
—Henry P. Guzda
Industrial R elations Specialist
TEAM 21, U .S. D epartm ent of Labor

Challenges for working mothers
Women’s Two Roles: A Contemporary
Dilemma. By Phyllis Moen. New
York, Auburn House, 1992, 172
pp. $45, cloth; $16.95, paper.


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

Phyllis Moen has incorporated in her
book the findings of an exceptional
amount of research about women’s
roles at home and at work. Many of
the more than 500 entries in the
31-page bibliography are empirical re­
search studies; the book is essentially a
tapestry of research findings woven
into the fabric of an integrated text
that makes for stimulating reading.
Moen goes beyond the usual array
of issues such as dependant care and
alternative work schedules. She fo­
cuses on mothers, fathers, and chil­
dren, presenting a psychological eval­
uation of the effects of work on deci­
sions regarding the family.
The book is well organized; its three
sections, “The Issue in Context,”
“Consequences,” and “New Direc­
tions,” provide information in an
orderly fashion to help readers
evaluate the implications of work on
women’s behavior at home and in the
labor force. The first two sections con­
vey information from a wide array of
research studies conducted between
1946 and 1992, a period in which the
behavior of women and men shifted
significantly. It should be noted that
the variety of research designs and the
extensive time period these studies
span sometimes result in conflicting
findings.
Because social behavior has changed
and research findings that were
accurate for one period may not
describe the situation correctly at a
later time, the effects of behavior shifts
over time could not be clearly
ascertained in all cases. For example,
Moen believes that only tentative
conclusions may be drawn from
research about working mothers:
daughters appear to have benefited
from working mothers more than have
sons; mothers’employment outside the
home may have negative effects on
sons; and a mother’s employment
affects not only the mother-child
relationship, but also the father-child
relationship.
Moen draws other tentative conclu­
sions: a mother’s attitude toward

employment may be more important
than the employment itself; the char­
acteristics of a mother’s job (for
example, part-time versus full-time)
are essential in examining the effect on
children; and young children who are
cared for in a group environment get
sick more frequently than those cared
for in a home enviornment. But this
colorless list of findings belies the
variety and scope of research incorpo­
rated in the book.
The final section, “New Direc­
tions,” which includes a chapter on
conclusions and implications, is some­
what weaker than the previous
sections because of its lack of research
findings. This chapter presents a sum­
mary of positions and proposed solu­
tions to the work and family dilemma
that is the heart of the book. The
author outlines the costs, the scarcity
of time, and the difficulties in arrang­
ing for child care. She also discusses
the benefits of working mothers —the
gains to families as women add to the
family income and fathers share in
the care of children, and the increases
to the national economy resulting
from women’s increased productive
capacity.
The conflicting needs of families
and employment present dilemmas for
women, according to Moen. Work-fa­
mily conflicts are so formidable, she
says, that 62 percent of working
mothers surveyed in Washington, DC,
said they would give up their jobs if
they could afford the financial loss.
Although all sides of the issues are
conveyed carefully, the recommended
solution seems to favor an unrealistic
resolution. For example, Moen sug­
gests that we “rethink and redesign
not only the structure of work, but
also the configuration of the life
course which could lead to a variety of
arrangements including a return to
school at various ages and a continua­
tion of paid work well beyond the
usual age of retirement.” She believes
that rethinking the sequence of educa­
tion, work, and retirement could lead
to government intervention (through
Monthly Labor Review May 1993 67

Book Reviews
employer tax incentives and other
inducements) to give women and men
more time at home for child-rearing.
Such re-ordering might be achieved
with flexible timing for school, a
slower track at work for both women
and men, and retirement at an age
older than the traditional retirement
age. This means that parents would
have to defer earnings or would have
reduced earnings until they complete
their child-rearing responsibilities.
However, this is unrealistic because,
for most parents, earning a living
cannot be deferred until a more “con­
venient” time, due to the demands of
providing for a family. Sabbaticals do
not exist for eating or paying the rent
or doctor bills. Also health problems
may force workers into early retire­
ment, making it impossible to work
additional years to compensate for
earlier periods of “leisure” when more
time was needed for child care.
The other solutions Moen out­
lines—“Traditional Family,” “Male
Model,” “New Man,” and “Techno­
logical” solutions —have drawbacks
that she describes clearly.
Another shortcoming is the book’s
graphic presentation of data. At the
start, statistical data are presented in
line graphs. The years designated on
the horizontal scale are represented by
units of different sizes in several places,
which can be misleading. For example,
the shape of the curve depicted in one
figure would be quite different if equal
units on the time scale had been used.
The author admits that “realistical­
ly, there is most probably no single
solution to the work/family dilemma,”
and that “given the diversity in wom­
en’s (and men’s) lives in families, and in
jobs, a smorgasbord of options and
alternatives may well be necessary.” A
corollary to this observation could be
that a realistic option for government
and one that may be feasible with
limited resources, is to provide more
information to the public about the
choices between home and work that
individuals and families face, and the
costs and benefits associated with the
alternatives.
68 Monthly Labor Review May 1993

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Arline Easley
E conom ist, W om en ’s Bureau
U .S. D epartm ent o f Labor

Publications received
Economic growth and development
A nand, Sudhir and M artin R avallion,
“H um an D evelopm ent in P oor C oun­
tries: On th e R ole o f Private Incom es
and Public Services,” T h e J o u rn a l o f
E co n o m ic Perspectives, W inter 1993,
pp. 133-50.
Freem an, R ichard B ., W h a t D irection fo r
L a b o r M a rk e t In stitu tio n s in E a stern
a n d C en tra l E u ro p e? Cam bridge, m a ,
N ation al Bureau of E conom ic
R esearch, Inc., 1992, 51 pp. (W orking
Paper 4209.) $5 per copy, plus $10 for
postage and handling outside the
U nited States.
Pennar, K aren, “Can This M an A nsw er
E con om ics’ Prim e Q uestion?” B u si­
ness W e e k , D ec. 14, 1992, pp. 65-66.
Shah, A shish, “C ooperative Law: A n
Instrum ent for D evelopm ent?” I n te r ­
n a tio n a l L a b o u r R eview , V oi. 131, N o .
4-5, 1992, pp. 513-24.
van Im sch oot, M arc, “W ater as a source
o f em p loym en t,” In te rn a tio n a l L a b o u r
R eview , V oi. 131, N o . 1, 1992, pp.
125-37.

Economics and social statistics
Israel Central Bureau of Statistics,
M o n th ly B u lle tin o f Sta tistics, Jerusa­
lem , Israel, Central Bureau of
Statistics, Septem ber 1992; and S u p ­
p le m e n t. 133 pp. and 146 pp., respec­
tively.
____ M o n th ly B u lle tin o f S ta tistics, Jeru­
salem , Israel, Central Bureau of
Statistics, O ctober 1992; and Supple­
m ent. 134 pp. and 210 pp., respec­
tively.
___ M o n th ly B u lle tin o f Statistics,
N ovem ber 1992, w ith Supplem ent.
129 and 88 pp., respectively.
___ M o n th ly B u lle tin o f Statistics,
D ecem ber 1992, w ith Supplem ent. 133
and 141 pp., respectively.
R epublic of C hina, M o n th ly B u lle tin o f
E arnings a n d P ro d u ctivity Sta tistics,
T a iw a n A rea, R ep u b lic o f C h in a ,
O ctober 1992. Taiw an, R epublic of

China, D irectorate-G eneral o f Budget,
A ccounting and Statistics, 140 pp.
(R eport N o . 228.)
___ M o n th ly B u lle tin o f E a rn in g s a n d
P rod u ctivity Statistics, T a iw a n , R e p u b ­
lic o f C hina, D ecem ber 1992, Taiwan,
R epublic o f China, D irectorate-G ene­
ral o f Budget, A ccounting and
Statistics, 140 pp. (R eport N o . 230.)
S y m p o siu m : K eyn esia n E conom ics
T o d a y. “Sym posium on K eynesian
E conom ics T od ay,” B y N . G regory
M ankiw; “The N ew K eynesian Syn­
th esis,” by D avid Rom er; “N ew and
Old K eyn esian s,” by Bruce G reenwald and Joseph Stiglitz; “P rice F lexi­
bility and Output Stability: A n Old
K eynesian V ie w ,” by James Tobin;
“W ill th e N ew K eynesian M acroeco­
nom ics R esurrect the i s -l m M odel?”
by R obert G. K ing, T h e J o u rn a l o f
E conom ic Perspectives, W inter 1993,
pp. 3-82.
W aldrop, Judith, “C hoose th e Incom e
T hat’s R igh t for Y o u ,” A m e ric a n D e­
m ographics, D ecem ber 1992, pp. 9-10.

Education
Blackburn, M cK in ley L. and D avid
N eum ark, Acre O L S E stim a te s o f th e
R e tu r n to S chooling B ia sed D ow n­
ward'? A n o th e r L o o k . Cam bridge, MA,
N ational Bureau of E con om ic
R esearch, Inc., 1993, 25 pp. (W orking
Paper 4259.) $5 per cop y, plus $10 for
postage and handling outside the
United States.
D iam ond, A rthur M ., Jr. and D onald R .
Haurin, “T he D issem ination of R e­
search A gendas am ong Y oung E con o­
m ists,” J o u rn a l o f E co n o m ic E d u c a ­
tion, W inter 1993, pp. 53-61.
K ourilsky, M arilyn, “E con om ic E duca­
tion and a G enerative M odel of
M islearning and R ecovery,” T h e J o u r­
n a l o f E co n o m ic E d u ca tio n , W inter
1993, pp. 23-33.
Sexton, R obert L ., Philip E. G raves, and
D w igh t R . Lee, “The Short- and
L ong-R un M arginal C ost Curve: A
P edagogical N o te ,” J o u rn a l o f E c o ­
nom ic E d u ca tio n , W inter 1993, pp.
34-37.
Shen, R uth and T. Y . Shen, “E con om ic
T hinking in China: E con om ic K n o w ­
ledge and A ttitudes o f H igh School
Students,” J o u rn a l o f E co n o m ic E d u ­
cation, W inter 1993, pp. 70-84.
V an Scyoc, L ee J. and Joyce G leason,
“T raditional or Intensive Course

Lengths? A C om parison of O utcom es
in E conom ics L earning,” T h e J o u rn a l
o f E co n o m ic E d u ca tio n , W inter 1993,
pp. 15-22.

Health and safety
Curran, D aniel J., D ead L a w s fo r D ead
M en: T h e P olitics o f F ederal Coal
M in e H e a lth a n d S a fe ty L egislation.
Pittsburgh, PA, U niversity o f Pitts­
burgh Press, 1993, 208 pp., biblio­
graphy. $39.95.
K enen, R egina H ., R eproductive H a za rd s
in th e W o rk p la ce : M e n d in g Jobs,
M a n a g in g P regnancies. N ew York,
H arrington Park Press, 1993, 306 pp.
$19.95, paper.

Industrial relations
A ckers, Peter and others, “The use of
cycles: explaining em ployee involve­
m ent in the 1 9 9 0 s.” In d u stria l R e la ­
tions J o u rn a l, V o l. 23 , N o . 4, W inter
1992, pp. 268-83.
A dler, Paul S., “T im e and M otion
R egain ed ,” H a rva rd B usiness R eview ,
January-February 1993, pp. 97-108.
Buchanan, R. T., “M easuring mergers
and concentration in UK unions,
1 9 1 0 -8 8 ,” In d u stria l R ela tio n s Jour­
nal, V ol. 23, N o . 4, W inter 1992, pp.
304-14.
Campbell, Joan, ed., E uropean L a b o r
U nions. W estport, CT, G reenw ood
Press, 1992, 648 pp. $125.
C lausen, Christian and Borge L orentzen,
“W orkplace im plications of FMS and
CIM in D enm ark and Sw eden,” N ew
T echnology, W o r k a n d E m p lo y m e n t,
M arch 1993, pp. 21-30.
Conti, R obert F . and M alcolm W arner,
“Taylorism , new techn ology and justin-tim e system s in Japanese m anufac­
tu rin g,” N ew T echnology, W o rk a n d
E m p lo y m e n t, M arch 1993, pp. 31-42.
Cradden, Terry, “The Tories and
em ploym ent law in N orthern Ireland:
seeing unions in a different light?”
In d u stria l R ela tio n s J o u rn a l, M arch
1993, pp. 59-70.
D unlop, John T., In d u s tr ia l R ela tio n s
S y stem s, rev. ed., Cambridge, MA,
Harvard Business School Press, 1993,
353 pp., $39.95, cloth; $24.95, paper.


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

Ponak, A llen and Corliss O lson, “Tim e
D elays in G rievance A rbitration,” I n ­
d u stria l R elations, V ol. 47, N o. 4,
1992, pp. 690-707.

European Trade U nion Institute, E u ro ­
p ean T ra d e U nion In s titu te B u lle tin ,
Brussels, February 1993. 53 pp.
Finkin, M atthew W ., T h e B e n ja m in
A a ro n A n n u a l L e c tu r e Series on th e
R o le o f P u b lic P olicy in th e E m p lo y ­
m e n t R elationship: P rivacy a n d
P ersonality in th e E m p lo y m e n t
R elationship. L os A ngeles, U niversity
o f California, Institute of Industrial
R elations, 1992, 20 pp.

R ose, Ed and Ted W ooley, “Shifting
sands? trade unions and productivity
at R over C ars,” In d u stria l R ela tio n s
J o u rn a l, V ol. 23, N o . 4, W inter 1992,
pp. 257-67.

G all, Gregor, “W hat happened to single
union deals? — a research note, ” I n d u s ­
tria l R ela tio n s J o u rn a l, M arch 1993,
pp. 71-75.
H am m er, Tove H. and D avid L.
W azeter, “D im ensions of L ocal U nion
Effectiveness, ” In d u stria l a n d L a b o r
R ela tio n s R eview , January 1993, pp.
302-19.

Industry and government
Baily, M artin N eil, G ary Burtless,
R obert E. Litan, G row th w ith E q u ity :
E conom ic P o lic y m a k in g fo r th e N e x t
C en tu ry. W ashington, DC, The
Brookings Institution, 1993, 239 pp.
$31.95, cloth; $12.95, paper.

H ughes, Stephen, “L iving w ith the past:
trade unionism in H ungary since
political p luralism ,” In d u stria l
R ela tio n s J o u rn a l, V ol. 23, N o . 4,
W inter 1992, pp. 293-303.

Berry, Steven, James L evinsohn, and
A riel Pakes, A u to m o b ile P rices in
M a rk e t E q u ilib riu m : P a rt I a n d I I .
Cambridge, MA, N ation al Bureau of
E conom ic R esearch, In c., 1993, 45 pp.
(W orking Paper 4264.) $5 per copy,
plus $10 for postage and handling
outside the U nited States.

Jones, T im othy L ., T h e A m e rica n s with
D isabilities A ct: A R eview o f B est P rac­
tices. N ew York, A m erican M anage­
m ent A ssociation, 1993, 122 pp. $10,
paper (AMA M anagem ent Briefing).
K um ar, Pradeep and Lynn A cri,
“U nions’ C ollective Bargaining A gen­
da on W om en ’s Issues: The O ntario
E xperien ce,” In d u stria l R ela tio n s, V ol.
47, N o . 4, 1992, pp. 623-53

Faris, S. Jackson, ed., S m a ll B usiness in
th e C linton Y ears: W h a t Y o u r C o m ­
p a n y M u st Do to Survive a n d S ucceed.
W ashington, DC, N ation al Federation
of Independent Business, 1993, 190
pp. $9.95, paper. A vailable from
H am m ock Publishing Inc., N ashville,
TN.

Lew in, D avid, Olivia S. M itchell, and
Peter D . Sherer, eds., R esearch
F rontiers in In d u stria l R ela tio n s a n d
H u m a n Resources. M adison, WI,
Industrial R elations R esearch A sso ci­
ation, 1992, 625 pp.
L um ley, R oger, “Business education and
em ploym ent relations: the case of G er­
m a n y ,” In d u stria l R ela tio n s J o u rn a l,
V ol. 23, N o . 4, W inter 1992, pp.
284-92.
M etcalf, D avid, Jonathan W adsw orth,
and Peter Ingram , “M ulti-unionism ,
size o f bargaining group and strik es,”
In d u stria l R ela tio n s J o u rn a l, M arch
1993, pp. 3-13.
Ogden, Stuart, “D ecline and fall:
national bargaining in British w ater,”
In d u stria l R ela tio n s J o u rn a l, M arch
1993, pp. 44-58.

Sw idinsky, R obert, “U nionism and the
job attachm ent of Canadian w orkers,”
In d u stria l R ela tio n s, V ol. 47, N o . 4,
1992, pp. 729-51.

Fort, R odney and R obert R osenm an,
“A nother L ook at th e Study of
R egulatory Form s and O u tcom es,”
J o u rn a l o f E co n o m ic E d u c a tio n ,
W inter 1993, pp. 39-52.
G reat Britain, E m ploym ent D epartm ent,
E m p lo y m e n t D e p a rtm e n t A n n u a l
R eport on R esearch, 1992. M oorfoot,
Sheffield, England, D epartm ent of
E m ploym ent, R esearch M anagem ent
Branch, 1992, 220 pp.
“T his R ebound Just M ay Be F or R e a l,”
B usiness W e e k , Jan. 11, 1993, pp.
56-104.
T om oda, Shizue, “R ecent D evelopm ents
in the F ood and D rink Industries,”
In te rn a tio n a l L a b o u r R eview , V ol.
131, N o . 4-5, 1992, pp. 431-51.

Monthly Labor Review May 1993

69

B ook R eview s

International economics
“A ctivities of the E conom ic and Social
C om m ittee, A pril, M ay, and June
1 9 9 2 , ” B u lle tin o f th e E conom ic a n d
S ocial C o m m ittee o f th e E uropean
C o m m u n ities, V ol. 2, 1 9 9 2 ,1 2 4 pp.
Brussels, E conom ic and Social C om ­
m ittee, D ivision for Inform ation,
Publications and R elations w ith SocioE conom ic G roups.
B loom , D avid E. and A d i Brender,
L a b o r a n d th e E m e rg in g W o rld E co n ­
om y. Cambridge, MA, N ational B u­
reau o f E con om ic R esearch, Inc.,
1993, 70 pp. (W orking Paper 4266.)
$5 per copy, plus $10 for postage and
handling outside the U nited States.
Clarida, R ichard H ., “Entry, D um ping,
and Shakeout,” T h e A m e rica n E co ­
no m ic R eview , M arch 1993, pp.
180-202.
Fuss, M elvyn, Stephen M urphy, and
Leonard W averm an, T h e S ta te o f
N o rth A m e rica n a n d Japanese M otor
V eh icle In d u strie s: A P artially
Calibrated M odel to E xam ine the
Im pacts o f Trade P olicy Changes.
Cambridge, MA, N ational Bureau of
E conom ic R esearch, Inc., 1992, 42 pp.
(W orking Paper 4225.) $5 per copy,
plus $10 for postage and handling
outside the U nited States.
R azin, A ssaf and Efraim Sadka, In te r n a ­
tio n a l M igration a n d In tern a tio n a l
T ra d e. C am bridge, MA, N ational
Bureau o f E conom ic R esearch, Inc.,
1992, 44 pp. (W orking Paper 4230.)
$5 per copy, plus $10 for postage and
handling outside the U nited States.
Schwartz, R osalind M ., ed., M a n a g in g
O rganizational T ransitions in a G lobal
E co n o m y. L os A ngeles, C A , U niversi­
ty of California, Institute o f Industrial
R elations, 1992, 198 pp. $15, paper.
(M onograph and R esearch Series, 57.)
van Liem t, Gijsbert, ed., In d u s tr y on th e
M ove: C auses a n d C onsequences o f
In te rn a tio n a l R elocation in th e
M a n u fa c tu rin g In d u stry . Geneva,
International Labor O rganization,
1992, 336 pp., bibliography. $28,
paper. A vailable from ILO Publica­
tions Center, A lbany, NY.

Labor force
Abraham , K atharine G. and Susan N .
H ousem an, J o b S e c u rity in A m erica:

70

M o n th ly L a b o r R eview


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M a y 1993

L essons fr o m G erm a n y. W ashington,
DC, T he B rookings Institution, 1993,
175 pp.
A xe, Barry and L onnie G olden, “The
A ugm ented Labor Supply Function:
W orktim e E vidence from Japan.”
R eprinted from the E a stern E conom ics
J o u rn a l, July-Septem ber 1991, pp.
305-17.
Berm an, Eh, John Bound, Zvi G riliches,
C hanges in th e D e m a n d fo r S k ille d
L a b o r W ith in U .S . M a n u fa c tu rin g
In d u strie s: E vidence F rom th e A n n u a l
S u rv e y o f M a n u fa c tu rin g . Cam bridge,
MA, N ation al Bureau o f E conom ic
R esearch, In c., 1993, 54 pp. (W orking
Paper 4255.) $5 per copy, plus $10 for
postage and handling outside the
U nited States.
B lanchflow er, D aniel and A ndrew J.
O swald, E n trepreneurship, H appiness
a n d S u b n o rm a l R etu rn s: E vidence
from Britain and the U S. Cam bridge,
MA, N ation al Bureau o f E conom ic
R esearch, In c., 1992, 25 pp. (W orking
Paper 4228.) $5 per cop y, plus $10 for
postage and handling outside the
U nited States.
C olem an, M ary T. and John Pencavel,
“Changes in W ork H ours o f M ale
E m ployees, 1 9 4 0 -1 9 8 8 ,” In d u stria l
a n d L a b o r R ela tio n s R eview , January
1993, pp. 262-83.
C rom pton, Susan, “F acing retirem ent,”
P erspectives on L a b o u r a n d In c o m e ,”
Spring 1993, pp. 31-38.
D evereaux, M ary Sue and C olin L ind­
say, “F em ale lone parents in the la ­
bour m arket,” Perspectives on L a b o u r
a n d In c o m e , Spring 1993, pp. 9-15.

G olden, L onnie, “The Insensitive W ork­
week: Trends and D eterm inants of
A djustm ent in A verage H ou rs.”
R eprinted from the J o u rn a l o f Post
K eyn esia n E conom ics, F all 1990, pp.
79-110.
__ “U nions, N onw age Labor Costs, and
the Character of Labor M arket A d ­
justm ent, 1 9 2 9 -1 9 8 7 .” Reprinted from
the Q u a rterly R eview o f E conom ics
a n d F in a n ce, Sum m er 1992, pp. 46-70.
G reat Britain, D epartm ent o f E m ploy­
m ent, T h e E a rly Careers o f 1980
G raduates: W o r k H istories, Jo b T e n ­
ure, C areer M o b ility a n d O ccupational
Choice. B y P. J. D olton and G . H .
M akepeace. M oorfoot, Sheffield, En­
gland, G reat Britain E m ploym ent D e ­
partm ent, R esearch M anagem ent
Branch, 1992, 106 pp.
H am er mesh, D aniel S. and Gerard
Pfann, T u rn o ve r a n d th e D y n a m ics o f
L a b o r D e m a n d . Cambridge, MA,
N ation al Bureau of E conom ic
R esearch, In c., 1992, 15 pp. (W orking
Paper 4052.) $5 per copy, plus $10 for
postage and handling outside the
U nited States.
Lee, Judy, “W om en in a ca d em ia -a
grow ing m inority,” Perspectives on
L a b o u r a n d In c o m e , Spring 1993, pp.
24-30.
M argo, R obert A . and T. A ldrich Finegan, “The D eclin e in B lack Teenage
L abor-F orce Participation in the
South, 1900-1970: The R ole of
Sch oolin g,” T h e A m e ric a n E co n o m ic
R eview , M a rch 1993, pp. 234-47.

D o w , G regory K ., “W h y Capital Hires
Labor: A Bargaining P ersp ective,”
T h e A m e ric a n E co n o m ic R eview ,
M arch 1993, pp. 118-34.

M itchell, Olivia S., ed., A s th e W o rk fo rc e
Ages: Costs, B en e fits & P olicy C h a l­
lenges. Ithaca, NY, ILR Press, Cornell
U niversity, 1993, 304 pp., $18.95,
paper, $42, cloth.

Farber, H enry S., T h e A nalysis o f In te r F irm W o r k e r M ob ility. Cambridge,
MA, N ation al Bureau o f E conom ic
R esearch, In c., 1993, 69 pp. (W orking
Paper 4262.) ($5 per copy, plus $10
for postage and handling outside the
U nited States.

N eum ark, D avid, S e x D iscrim ination
a n d W o m e n ’s L a b o r M a rk e t In te r ru p ­
tions. Cam bridge, MA, N ational Bu­
reau of E conom ic R esearch, Inc.,
1993, 37 pp. (W orking Paper 4260.)
$5 per cop y, plus $10 for postage and
handling outside th e United States.

G olden, L onnie and Eileen A ppelbaum ,
“W h at W as D riving th e 1982-88
B oom in T em porary E m ploym ent?
Preference of W orkers or D ecision s
and P ow er of E m p loyers.” R eprinted
from T h e A m e rica n J o u rn a l o f E co ­
nom ics a n d Sociology, O ctober 1992.
pp. 473-94.

R ansom , M ichael R ., “Seniority and
M on op son y in th e A cad em ic Labor
M ark et,” T h e A m e rica n E co n o m ic
R eview , M arch 1993, pp. 221-33.
Sunter, D eborah, “W orking Shift,”
Perspectives on L a b o u r a n d In c o m e ,
Spring 1993, pp. 16-23.

Current
labor
statistics

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Notes on Current Labor Statistics

84

27. A verage specified com pensation and
wage adjustm ents, bargaining situations
covering 1,000 workers or m o r e ..................................... 103
28. A verage effective w age adjustm ents, bargaining
situations covering 1,000 w orkers or m o r e ................. 104
29. Specified com pensation and wage adjustm ents, State
and local governm ent bargaining situations
covering 1,000 workers or m o r e ..................................... 104
30. W ork stoppages involving 1,000 workers or m ore . . . 104

84

Price data

....................

72

1. Labor m arket in d ic a t o r s ......................................................
2. A nnual and quarterly percent changes in
com pensation, prices, and p r o d u c tiv ity ......................
3. A lternative measures of w ages and com pensation
changes ...................................................................................

83

Comparative indicators

Labor force data
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.

E m ploym ent status of the population,
data seasonally a d ju s te d ....................................................
Selected em ploym ent indicators,
data seasonally a d ju s te d ....................................................
Selected unem ploym ent indicators,
data seasonally a d ju s te d ....................................................
U nem ploym ent rates by sex and age,
data seasonally a d ju s te d ....................................................
U nem ployed persons by reason for unem ploym ent,
data seasonally a d ju s te d ....................................................
D uration o f unem ploym ent, data seasonally adjusted
U nem ploym ent rates by S t a t e ............................................
E m ploym ent of workers by S t a t e .....................................
E m ploym ent o f workers by industry,
data seasonally a d ju s te d ....................................................
A verage w eekly hours by industry,
data seasonally a d ju s te d ....................................................
A verage hourly earnings by industry,
data seasonally a d ju s te d ....................................................
A verage hourly earnings by in d u s t r y ..............................
A verage w eekly earnings by in d u s tr y ..............................
D iffusion indexes o f em ploym ent change,
data seasonally a d ju s te d ....................................................
A nnual data: E m ploym ent status of the population .
A nnual data: E m ploym ent levels by industry ............
A nnual data: A verage hours and earnings levels
by industry ............................................................................

85
86
87
88
88
88
89
89
90
91
91
92
93
94
95
95
96

Labor compensation and collective
bargaining data
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.
26.

E m ploym ent Cost Index, com pensation,
by occupation and industry g r o u p ................................
97
E m ploym ent C ost Index, wages and salaries,
by occupation and industry g r o u p ................................
99
E m ploym ent Cost Index, benefits, private industry
workers, by occupation and industry g r o u p ............ 100
E m ploym ent C ost Index, private nonfarm workers,
bargaining status, region, and area s i z e ...................... 101
Participants in em ployer-provided benefit plans . . . . 102
Specified com pensation and wage adjustm ents from
contract settlem ents, and effective wage adjustments,
situations covering 1,000 workers or m o r e ............... 103


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IA|

31. C onsum er Price Index: U .S. city average, by
expenditure category and com m od ity and
service group ............................................................................ 105
32. C onsum er Price Index: U .S. city average and local
data, all i t e m ...............................................................................108
33. A nnual data: C onsum er Price Index, all item s
and major g r o u p s .....................................................................109
34. Producer Price Indexes, by stage o f processing ............ 110
35. Producer Price Indexes, by durability o f product . . . . 110
36. Producer Price Indexes for the net output of major
industry group ..........................................................................I l l
37. A nnual data: Producer Price Indexes, by stage
of p r o c e ss in g .............................................................................. I l l
38. U .S. export price indexes by Standard International
Trade C la ss ific a tio n ................................................................112
39. U .S. im port price indexes by Standard International
Trade C la ss ific a tio n ................................................................113
40. U .S. export price indexes by en d -u se c a te g o r y ...............114
4 L U .S. im port price indexes by en d -u se c a te g o r y ............. 114
42. U .S. export price indexes by Standard Industrial
C lassification ............................................................................ 114
43
U .S. im port price indexes, by Standard Industrial
C lassification ............................................................................ 115

Productivity data
44. Indexes o f productivity, h ourly com pensation, and
unit costs, data seasonally a d ju ste d .................................. 115
45. A nnual indexes o f m ultifactor productivity ....................116
46. A nnual indexes o f productivity, hourly
com pensation, unit costs, and p r ic e s ................................ 116
47. A nnual indexes of output per hour for selected
in d u stries......................................................................................117

International comparisons data
48. U nem ploym ent rates in nine countries,
data seasonally a d ju ste d ........................................................ 119
49. A nnual data: E m ploym ent status o f the civiliian
w orking-age population, 10 countries ........................... 120
50. A nnual indexes of productivity and related measures,
12 countries ...............................
121

Injury and illness data
51. A nnual data: O ccupational injury and illness
incidence r a t e ..........................................................................122

Monthly Labor Review May 1993 71

Notes on Current Labor Statistics

This section o f the R eview presents the
principal statistical series collected and
calculated by th e Bureau of Labor Statis­
tics: series on labor force; em ploym ent;
unem ploym ent; labor com pensation; c o l­
lective bargaining settlem ents; consum er,
producer, and international prices; pro­
ductivity; international com parisons; and
injury and illness statistics. In the notes
th at follow , th e data in each group of
tables are briefly described; key defini­
tions are given; notes on th e data are set
forth; and sources o f additional inform a­
tion are cited.

General notes
The follow in g notes apply to several
tables in this section:
Seasonal adjustment. Certain m onthly
and quarterly data are adjusted to elim i­
nate the effect on the data o f such factors
as clim atic conditions, industry produc­
tion schedules, opening and closing o f
sch ools, h olid ay buying periods, and va­
cation practices, w h ich m ight prevent
short-term evaluation o f the statistical se­
ries. Tables containing data that have
been adjusted are identified as “seasonal­
ly adjusted.” (A ll other data are n ot sea­
sonally adjusted.) Seasonal effects are es­
tim ated on the basis of past experience.
W hen new seasonal factors are com puted
each year, revisions m ay affect seasonally
adjusted data for several preceding years.
Seasonally adjusted data appear in
tables 1 - 9 ,1 2 - 1 4 ,1 6 - 1 7 , 44, and 48. Sea­
sonally adjusted labor force data in tables
1 and 4 -9 were revised in the February
1993 issue of the R eview and reflect the
experience through 1992. Seasonally ad­
justed establishm ent survey data show n
in tables 1 2 -1 4 and 16-17 were revised in
th e July 1992 R eview and reflect the expe­
rience through M arch 1992. A brief ex­
planation o f th e seasonal adjustm ent
m eth od ology appears in “N otes on the
d ata.”
R evisions in the productivity data in
table 44 are usually introduced in the Sep­
tem ber issue. Seasonally adjusted indexes
and percent changes from m onth-tom onth and quarter-to-quarter are pub­
lished for num erous C onsum er and P ro­
ducer Price Index series. H ow ever,
seasonally adjusted indexes are n ot pub­
lished for the U .S. average A ll-Item s c p i .

72 Monthly Labor Review May 1993

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O nly seasonally adjusted percent changes
are available for this series.
Adjustments for price changes. Som e
d a ta —such as th e “real” earnings show n
in table 14 —are adjusted to elim inate the
effect o f changes in price. T hese adjust­
m ents are m ade by dividing current-dollar values by th e C onsum er Price Index
or the appropriate com p on en t o f th e in­
dex, then m ultiplying by 100. F or exam ­
ple, given a current hourly wage rate of $3
and a current price index num ber o f 150,
w here 1982 = 100, the hourly rate ex­
pressed in 1982 dollars is $2 ($ 3 /1 5 0 x
100 = $2). The $2 (or any other resulting
values) are described as “r ea l,” “co n ­
stan t,” or “1 9 8 2 ” dollars.

bor force, em ploym ent, and unem ploy­
ment; em ployee com pensation and
collective bargaining; prices; productiv­
ity; international com parisons; and inju­
ry and illness data.

Symbols
n .e.c. = not elsew here classified,
n.e.s. = n ot elsew here specified.
p
= prelim inary. T o increase the
tim eliness of som e series, prelim inary fig ­
ures are issued based on representative
but incom plete returns.
r
= revised. G enerally, this revision
reflects the availability o f later data but
m ay also reflect other adjustments.

Additional information
D ata that supplem ent the tables in this
section are published by the Bureau in a
variety o f sources. N ew s releases provide
th e latest statistical inform ation pub­
lished by the Bureau; the major recurring
releases are published according to the
schedule appearing on th e back cover of
this issue. M ore inform ation about labor
force, em ploym ent, and unem ploym ent
data and the household and establish­
m ent surveys underlying th e data are
available in E m p lo y m e n t a n d E arnings, a
m on th ly publication of the Bureau. A d d i­
tional data from the household survey are
published in the data book, L a b o r Force
S ta tistics D erived F rom th e C u rren t P opu­
lation S u rv e y, Bulletin 2307. M ore na­
tional data from the establishm ent survey
appear in the data book, E m p lo y m e n t,
H o u rs, a n d E arn in g s, U n ite d S ta te s, an
annual bulletin. M ore detailed inform a­
tion on em ployee com pensation and c o l­
lective bargaining settlem ents is pub­
lished in th e m onthly periodical, C o m ­
pensation a n d W o r k in g C onditions. M ore
detailed data on consum er and producer
prices are published in th e m on th ly peri­
odicals, T h e c p i D eta iled R eport, and P ro­
d u c e r P rice In d e x e s. D etailed data on all
of th e series in th is section are provided in
th e H a n d b o o k o f L a b o r S ta tistics, w hich
is published biennially by the Bureau, b l s
bulletins are issued covering productiv­
ity, injury and illness, and other data in
this section. F inally, the M o n th ly L a b o r
R eview carries analytical articles on an­
nual and longer term developm ents in la­

Comparative Indicators
(Tables 1 -3 )
C om parative indicators tables provide an
overview and com parison o f major b l s
statistical series. Consequently, although
m any of the included series are available
m onthly, all m easures in these com para­
tive tables are presented quarterly and
annually.
Labor market indicators include em ­
ploym ent measures from tw o major sur­
veys and inform ation on rates o f change
in com pensation provided by th e E m ­
ploym ent Cost Index (e c d program . The
labor force participation rate, the employm ent-to-population ratio, and unem ­
ploym ent rates for major dem ographic
groups based on the Current P opulation
( “h ou seh old ”) Survey are presented,
while measures o f em ploym ent and aver­
age w eekly hours by major industry sec­
tor are given using nonfarm payroll data.
The E m ploym ent C ost Index (com pensa­
tion), by major sector and b y bargaining
status, is chosen from a variety of b l s
com pensation and wage m easures be­
cause it provides a com prehensive m ea­
sure of em ployer costs for hiring labor,
not just outlays fo r wages, and it is n ot af­
fected by em ploym ent shifts am ong occu ­
pations and industries.
D ata on changes in compensation,
prices, and productivity are presented in
table 2. M easures of rates o f change of
com pensation and w ages from the

E m ploym ent Cost Index program are
provided for all civilian nonfarm workers
(excluding Federal and household work­
ers) and for all private nonfarm workers.
M easures of changes in consum er prices
for all urban consum ers; producer prices
by stage of processing; overall prices by
stage of processing; and overall export
and im port price indexes are given. M ea­
sures of productivity (output per hour of
all persons) are provided for major
sectors.

Alternative measures of wage and
compensation rates of change, w h ich re­
flect th e overall trend in labor costs, are
sum m arized in table 3. D ifferences in
concepts and scope, related to the specific
purposes of the series, contribute to the
variation in changes am ong th e individu­
al m easures.

Notes on the data
D efinitions o f each series and n otes on the
data are contained in later sections of
these notes describing each set o f data.
F or detailed descriptions of each data se­
ries, see b l s H a n d b o o k o f M eth o d s, Bulle­
tin 2414 (Bureau of Labor Statistics,
1992), as w ell as the additional bulletins,
articles, and other publications noted in
the separate sections of the R eview ’s
“N otes on Current Labor S tatistics.” U s­
ers m ay also wish to consult M ajor P ro­
g ra m s o f th e B u re a u o f L a b o r Statistics,
R eport 793 (Bureau of Labor Statistics,
1991).

Employment
and Unemployment Data
(Tables 1; 4 -2 0 )

Household survey data

Definitions
Employed persons

include (1) all those
w ho worked for pay any tim e during the
week w hich includes the 12th day of the
m onth or w ho worked unpaid for 15
hours or more in a fam ily-operated enter­
prise and (2) those w ho were tem porarily
absent from their regular jobs because of
illness, vacation, industrial dispute, or
similar reasons. A person working at
m ore than one job is counted only in the
job at w hich he or she worked the greatest
num ber of hours.
Unemployed persons are those w ho
did n ot work during the survey week, but
were available for work except for tem po­
rary illness and had looked for jobs w ith­
in the preceding 4 weeks. Persons w ho
did n ot look for work because th ey were
on layoff are also counted am ong the un­
em ployed. The nnemployment rate repre­
sents the num ber unem ployed as a per­
cent of the civilian labor force.
The civilian labor force consists of all
em ployed or unem ployed persons in the
civilian noninstitutional population. Per­
sons not in the labor force are those not
classified as em ployed or unem ployed;
this group includes persons w ho are re­
tired, those engaged in their ow n house­
work, those n ot working w hile attending
school, those unable to w ork because of
long-term illness, those discouraged from
seeking work because of personal or jobmarket factors, and th ose w ho are volun­
tarily idle. The civilian noninstitutional
population com prises all persons 16 years
of age and older w ho are n ot inm ates of
penal or m ental institutions, sanitarium s,
or h om es for the aged, infirm , or needy.
The civilian labor force participation rate
is th e proportion of the civilian noninsti­
tutional population that is in the labor
force. The employment-population ratio
is em ploym ent as a percent o f the civilian
noninstitutional population.

have been seasonally adjusted with a pro­
cedure called X - l l a r i m a w hich was de­
veloped at Statistics Canada as an exten­
sion of the standard X - l l m ethod
previously used by b l s . A detailed de­
scription of the procedure appears in the
X - l l a r i m a Seasonal A d ju s tm e n t M e th ­
od, by E stela Bee D agum (Statistics Can­
ada, Catalogue N o . 12-564E , January
1983).
A t th e end of each calendar year, sea­
sonally adjusted data for the previous 5
years are revised, and projected seasonal
adjustm ent factors are calculated for use
during th e January-June period. In July,
new seasonal adjustm ent factors, w hich
incorporate the experience through June,
are produced for th e July-D ecem b er pe­
riod, but no revisions are m ade in the his­
torical data.

Additional sources of information
F or detailed explanations of the data, see
b l s H a n d b o o k o f M eth o d s, Bulletin 2414
(Bureau of Labor Statistics, 1992), and
for additional data, H a n d b o o k o f L a b o r
S ta tistics, Bulletin 2340 (Bureau of Labor
Statistics, 1989). H istorical unadjusted
data from 1948 to 1987 are available in
L a b o r F orce Sta tistics D erived fr o m th e
C u rren t P opulation S u rvey, Bulletin 2307
(Bureau of Labor Statistics, 1988). H is­
torical seasonally adjusted data are avail­
able from the Bureau of Labor Statistics
upon request.
A com prehensive discussion of the
differences betw een household and estab­
lishm ent data on em ploym ent appears in
G loria P. G reen, “Com paring em ploy­
m ent estim ates from household and pay­
roll surveys,” M o n th ly L a b o r R eview , D e ­
cem ber 1969, pp. 9 -2 0 .

Establishment survey data
Description of the series

Notes on the data

E m ploym ent, h o u rs, a n d

From tim e to tim e, and especially after a
decennial census, adjustm ents are made
in th e Current P opulation Survey figures
to correct for estim ating errors during the
intercensal years. These adjustm ents af­
fect the com parability o f historical data.
A description o f these adjustm ents and
their effect on th e various data series ap­
pears in the Explanatory N otes of E m ­
p lo ym en t a n d E arnings.
Labor force data in tables 1 and 4 -9
are seasonally adjusted based on the expe­
rience through D ecem ber 1992. Since
January 1980, national labor force data

in this section are com piled from
payroll records reported m onthly on a
voluntary basis to th e Bureau of Labor
Statistics and its cooperating State agen­
cies by m ore than 359,000 establishm ents
representing all industries except agricul­
ture. Industries are classified in accor­
dance w ith th e 1987 S ta n d a rd In d u stria l
C lassification (sic ) M a n u a l. In m ost in ­
dustries, th e sam pling probabilities are
based on th e size o f the establishment;
m ost large establishm ents are therefore in
the sam ple. (A n establishm ent is not n ec­
essarily a firm; it m ay be a branch plant,
for exam ple, or w arehouse.) Self-em-

e a r n in g s

data

Description of the series
E m p l o y m e n t d a t a in this section are
obtained from the Current Population
Survey, a program o f personal interview s
conducted m onthly by th e Bureau of the
Census for the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
The sam ple consists of about 60,000
households selected to represent the U .S.
population 16 years o f age and older.
H ouseholds are interview ed on a rotating
basis, so that three-fourths of the sam ple
is the sam e for any 2 consecutive m onths.


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Monthly Labor Review May 1993

73

Current Labor Statistics
ployed persons and others not on a regu­
lar civilian payroll are outside the scope
of the survey because th ey are excluded
from establishm ent records. This largely
accounts for the difference in em ploy­
ment figures between the household and
establishm ent surveys.

Definitions
A n establishment is an econom ic unit
w hich produces goods or services (such as
a factory or store) at a single location and
is engaged in one type of econom ic
activity.
Employed persons are all persons w ho
received pay (including holid ay and sick
pay) for any part of the payroll period in­
cluding the 12th day of the m onth. Per­
sons holding m ore than one job (about 5
percent of all persons in the labor force)
are counted in each establishm ent w hich
reports them .
Production workers in manufacturing
include working supervisors and nonsupervisory w orkers closely associated with
production operations. T hose workers
m entioned in tables 1 1 -1 6 include pro­
duction workers in m anufacturing and
mining; construction workers in co n ­
struction; and nonsupervisory workers in
the follow in g industries: transportation
and public utilities; w holesale and retail
trade; finance, insurance, and real estate;
and services. T hese groups account for
about four-fifths o f th e total em ploym ent
on private nonagricultural payrolls.
Earnings are the paym ents production
or nonsupervisory workers receive dur­
ing the survey period, including premium
pay for overtim e or late-shift work but ex­
cluding irregular bonuses and other spe­
cial paym ents. Real earnings are earnings
adjusted to reflect the effects o f changes
in consum er prices. The deflator for this
series is derived from the C onsum er Price
Index for Urban W age Earners and Cleri­
cal W orkers (CPi-W ).
Hours represent th e average w eekly
hours o f production or nonsupervisory
workers for w hich p ay was received, and
are different from standard or scheduled
hours. Overtime hours represent th e por­
tion o f average w eekly hours w hich was
in excess of regular hours and for w hich
overtim e prem ium s were paid.
The Diffusion Index represents the
percent o f industries in w hich em ploy­
m ent was rising over the indicated period,
plus one-half o f the industries w ith u n ­
changed em ploym ent; 50 percent indi­
cates an equal balance between industries
w ith increasing and decreasing em ploy­

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ment. In line with Bureau practice, data
for the 1- 3-, and 6-m onth spans are sea­
sonally adjusted, w hile th ose for the
12-m onth span are unadjusted. D ata are
centered within th e span. Table 17 pro­
vides an index on private nonfarm em ­
ploym ent based on 356 industries, and
a m anufacturing index based on 139 in ­
dustries. T hese indexes are useful for
m easuring the dispersion of econom ic
gains or losses and are also econom ic
indicators.

Notes on the data
Establishm ent survey data are annually
adjusted to com prehensive counts of em ­
ploym ent (called “b enchm arks”). The
latest adjustm ent, w hich incorporated
M arch 1991 benchm arks, was m ade w ith
the release of M ay 1992 data, published
in the July 1992 issue o f the Review . C oin­
cident w ith the benchm ark adjustments,
seasonally adjusted data were revised to
reflect the experience through M arch
1992. U nadjusted data from A pril 1991
forw ard and seasonally adjusted data
from January 1988 forw ard are subject to
revision in future benchm arks.
The b l s also uses the X - l l a r i m a
m ethodology to seasonally adjust estab­
lishm ent survey data. Beginning in June
1989, projected seasonal adjustm ent fa c ­
tors are calculated and published tw ice a
year. The change m akes the procedure
used for the establishm ent survey data
m ore parallel to that used in adjusting the
household survey data. R evisions of his­
torical data will continue to be m ade once
a year coincident w ith th e benchm ark
revisions.
In the establishm ent survey, estim ates
for the 2 m ost recent m onths are based on
incom plete returns and are published as
prelim inary in th e tables (1 2 -1 7 in the
R eview ). W hen all returns have been re­
ceived, the estim ates are revised and pub­
lished as “fin a l” (prior to any benchm ark
revisions) in the third m onth o f their ap­
pearance. Thus, D ecem ber data are pub­
lished as prelim inary in January and F eb ­
ruary and as final in M arch. F or th e sam e
reasons, quarterly establishm ent data
(table 1) are prelim inary for the first 2
m onths o f publication and final in the
third m onth. Thus, fourth-quarter data
are published as prelim inary in January
and February and as final in M arch.

Additional sources of information
D etailed national data from the establish­
m ent survey are published m on th ly in the

b l s periodical, E m p lo y m e n t a n d E a rn ­
ings. H istorically com parable unadjusted
and seasonally adjusted data are pub­
lished in E m p lo y m e n t, H o u rs, a n d E a rn ­
ings, U n ite d S ta te s, 1 9 0 9 -9 0 , Bulletin
2370 (Bureau o f Labor Statistics, 1991)
and an annual bulletin. F or a detailed dis­
cussion o f the m ethodology of the survey,
see b l s H a n d b o o k o f M eth o d s, Bulletin
2414 (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 1992).
F or additional data, see H a n d b o o k o f L a ­
bor S ta tistics, Bulletin 2340 (Bureau of
Labor Statistics, 1989).
A com prehensive discussion of the dif­
ferences betw een household and estab­
lishm ent data on em ploym ent appears in
G loria P. G reen, “C om paring em ploy­
m ent estim ates from household and pay­
roll su rveys,” M o n th ly L a b o r R eview , D e ­
cem ber 1969, pp. 9 -2 0 .

Unemployment data by State
Description of the series
D ata presented in this section are ob­
tained from tw o major so u rces—the Cur­
rent P opulation Survey ( c p s ) and the L o­
cal A rea U n em ploym ent Statistics (l a u s )
program , w hich is conducted in coopera­
tion w ith State em ploym ent security
agencies.
M on th ly estim ates o f the labor force,
em ploym ent, and unem ploym ent for
States and sub-State areas are a key indi­
cator of local econ om ic conditions, and
form the basis for determ ining the eligi­
bility of an area for benefits under F eder­
al econ om ic assistance program s such as
th e Job Training Partnership A ct and the
Public W orks and E conom ic D evelop­
m ent A ct. Insofar as possible, the con ­
cepts and definitions underlying these
data are those used in the national esti­
m ates obtained from th e c p s .

Notes on the data
D ata refer to State of residence. M onthly
data for 11 S tates—California, Florida,
Illinois, M assachusetts, M ichigan, N ew
Y ork, N ew Jersey, N orth Carolina, O hio,
Pennsylvania, and T ex a s—are obtained
d irectly from the c p s because the size of
th e sam ple is large enough to m eet b l s
standards o f reliability. D ata for the re­
m aining 39 States and the D istrict o f C o­
lum bia are derived using standardized
procedures established by b l s . Once a
year, estim ates for the 11 States are re­
vised to n ew population controls. F or the
rem aining States and the D istrict o f C o­
lum bia, data are benchm arked to annual
average c p s levels.

Additional sources of information
Inform ation on the concepts, definitions,
and technical procedures used to develop
labor force data for States and sub-State
areas as w ell as additional data on subStates are provided in the m onthly Bu­
reau of Labor Statistics periodical, E m ­
p lo y m e n t a n d E arnings, and the annual
report, G eographic P rofile o f E m p lo y m e n t
a n d U n e m p lo y m e n t (Bureau o f Labor
Statistics). See also b l s H a n d b o o k o f
M eth o d s, B ulletin 2414 (Bureau of Labor
Statistics, 1992).

Compensation and Wage
Data
(Tables 1-3; 2 1 -3 0 )
C o m p e n s a t i o n a n d w a g e d a t a are
gathered by the Bureau from business es­
tablishm ents, State and local govern­
m ents, labor unions, collective bargain­
ing agreem ents on file with the Bureau,
and secondary sources.

Employment Cost Index
Description of the series
T he Employment Cost Index ( e c d is a
quarterly m easure o f the rate of change in
com pensation per hour worked and in ­
cludes wages, salaries, and em ployer
costs of em ployee benefits. It uses a fixed
market basket of la b o r—sim ilar in con ­
cept to the Consum er Price In d ex’s fixed
m arket basket o f goods and services—to
m easure ch an ge over tim e in em ployer
costs of em ploying labor.
Statistical series on total com pensation
costs, on w ages and salaries, and on bene­
fit costs are available for private nonfarm
w orkers excluding proprietors, the selfem ployed, and household workers. The
total com pensation costs and w ages and
salaries series are also available for State
and local governm ent workers and for the
civilian nonfarm econom y, w hich con ­
sists of private industry and State and lo ­
cal governm ent w orkers com bined. F ed­
eral w orkers are excluded.
The E m ploym ent C ost Index proba­
bility sam ple consists of about 4,400 pri­
vate nonfarm establishm ents providing
about 2 3,000 occupational observations
and 1,000 State and local governm ent es­
tablishm ents providing 6,000 occupa­
tional observations selected to represent
total em ploym ent in each sector. On av­


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erage, each reporting unit provides wage
and com pensation inform ation on five
w ell-specified occupations. D ata are col­
lected each quarter for the pay period in­
cluding the 12th day of M arch, June, Sep­
tember, and Decem ber.
Beginning w ith June 1986 data, fixed
em ploym ent weights from the 1980 Cen­
sus of Population are used each quarter to
calculate the civilian and private indexes
and the index for State and local govern­
ments. (Prior to June 1986, the em ploy­
m ent w eights are from the 1970 Census of
P opulation.) T hese fixed w eights, also
used to derive all of the industry and oc­
cupation series indexes, ensure that
changes in these indexes reflect only
changes in com pensation, n ot em ploy­
m ent shifts am ong industries or occupa­
tions with different levels o f w ages and
com pensation. For the bargaining status,
region, and m etropolitan/nonm etropolitan area series, how ever, em ploym ent
data by industry and occupation are not
available from the census. Instead, the
1980 em ploym ent w eights are reallocated
within these series each quarter based on
the current sam ple. Therefore, these in­
dexes are not strictly com parable to those
for the aggregate, industry, and occupa­
tion series.

State and local governm ent sector and in
the civilian nonfarm econ om y (excluding
Federal em ployees) w ere published be­
ginning in 1981. H istorical indexes (June
1981 = 100) of the quarterly rates of
change are presented in the M arch issue
of th e b l s periodical, C om pensation and
W o r k in g C onditions.

Additional sources of information
For a m ore detailed discussion of the E m ­
ploym ent Cost Index, see the b l s H a n d ­
book o f M eth o d s, B ulletin 2414 (Bureau
of Labor Statistics, 1992); E m p lo y m e n t
Cost In d e x e s a n d L evels, 1975-92, Bulle­
tin 2413 (Bureau of L abor Statistics,
1992); and the follow in g M o n th ly L a b o r
R eview articles: “E stim ation procedures
for the E m ploym ent C ost In d e x ,” M ay
1982; and “Introducing new w eights for
the E m ploym ent C ost In d ex ,” June 1985.
D ata on the e c i are also available in
b l s quarterly press releases issued in the
m onth follow ing the reference m onths of
M arch, June, September, and December;
and from the H a n d b o o k o f L a b o r S ta tis­
tics, Bulletin 2340 (Bureau o f Labor Sta­
tistics, 1989).

Employee Benefits Survey
Definitions
Description of the series
Total compensation costs

include wages,
salaries, and the em ployer’s costs for em ­
ployee benefits.
Wages and salaries consist of earnings
before payroll deductions, including pro­
duction bonuses, incentive earnings,
com m issions, and cost-of-living adjust­
ments.
Benefits include the cost to em ployers
for paid leave, supplem ental pay (includ­
ing nonproduction bonuses), insurance,
retirement and savings plans, and legally
required benefits (such as Social Security,
w orkers’ com pensation, and unem ploy­
m ent insurance).
Excluded from w ages and salaries and
em ployee benefits are such item s as p ay­
m ent-in-kind, free room and board, and
tips.

Notes on the data
The E m ploym ent C ost Index for changes
in w ages and salaries in the private n on ­
farm econ om y was published beginning
in 1975. Changes in total com pensation
c o s t—w ages and salaries and benefits
com bined — were published beginning in
1980. The series of changes in w ages and
salaries and for total com pensation in the

Employee benefits data are obtained
from th e E m ployee Benefits Survey, an
annual survey of the incidence and provi­
sions of selected benefits provided by em ­
ployers. The survey collects data from a
sam ple o f approxim ately 6,000 private
sector and State and local governm ent es­
tablishm ents. The data are presented as a
percentage o f em ployees w ho participate
in a certain benefit, or as an average bene­
fit provision (for exam ple, the average
num ber o f paid holidays provided to em ­
ployees per year). Selected data from the
survey are presented in table 25.
T he survey covers paid leave benefits
such as lu n ch and rest periods, holidays
and vacations, and personal, funeral, jury
duty, m ilitary, parental, and sick leave;
sickness and accident, long-term disabil­
ity, and life insurance; m edical, dental,
and vision care plans; defined benefit and
defined contribution plans; flexible bene­
fits plans; reim bursem ent accounts; and
unpaid parental leave.
A lso, data are tabulated on th e in ci­
dence o f several other benefits, such as
severance pay, child-care assistance, w el­
lness program s, and em ployee assistance
program s.
Monthly Labor Review M ay 1993

75

Current Labor Statistics
Definitions
Employer-provided benefits are benefits
that are financed either w h olly or partly
by the em ployer. T h ey m ay be sponsored
by a union or other third party, as long as
there is som e em ployer financing. H o w ­
ever, som e benefits that are fu lly paid for
by the em ployee also are included. F or
exam ple, long-term care insurance and
postretirem ent life insurance paid entire­
ly by th e em ployee are included because
the guarantee o f insurability and avail­
ability at group prem ium rates are c o n ­
sidered a benefit.
Participants are workers w ho are c o v ­
ered by a benefit, w hether or not th ey use
th at benefit. If th e benefit plan is financed
w h olly by em ployers and requires em ­
ployees to com plete a m inim um length of
service for eligibility, the workers are
considered participants whether or n ot
th ey have m et th e requirem ent. If w ork­
ers are required to contribute tow ards the
cost of a plan, th ey are considered partici­
pants on ly if th ey elect the plan and agree
to m ake the required contributions.
Defined benefit pension plans use pre­
determ ined form ulas to calculate a retire­
m ent benefit, and obligate the em ployer
to provide th ose benefits. Benefits are
generally based on salary, years of ser­
vice, or both.
Defined contribution plans generally
specify the level of em ployer and em ­
ployee contributions to a plan, but n ot the
form ula for determ ining eventual bene­
fits. Instead, individual accounts are set
up for participants, and benefits are based
on am ounts credited to these accounts.
Tax-deferred savings plans are a type
o f defined contribution plan that allow
participants to contribute a portion of
their salary to an em ployer-sponsored
plan and defer incom e taxes until
w ithdraw al.
Flexible benefit plans allow em ployees
to ch o o se am ong several benefits, such as
life insurance, m edical care, and vacation
days, and am ong several levels of care
w ithin a given benefit.
Notes on the data
Surveys of em ployees in m edium and
large establishm ents conducted over the
1 9 7 9 -8 6 period included establishm ents
th at em ployed at least 50, 100, or 250
w orkers, depending on th e industry
(m ost service industries were excluded).
T he survey conducted in 1987 covered
on ly State and local governm ents with 50
or m ore em ployees. The surveys co n ­
ducted in 1988 and 1989 included

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m edium and large establishm ents w ith
100 workers or more in private indus­
tries. A ll surveys conducted over the
1 9 7 9 -8 9 period excluded establishm ents
in A laska and H aw aii, as w ell as parttim e em ployees.
Beginning in 1990, surveys o f State
and local governm ents and sm all estab­
lishm ents are conducted in even-num ­
bered years and surveys o f m edium and
large establishm ents are conducted in
odd-num bered years. The sm all estab­
lishm ent survey includes all private n on ­
farm establishm ents w ith few er than 100
workers, w hile the State and local govern­
m ent survey includes all governm ents, re­
gardless of the num ber of workers. A ll
three surveys include full- and part-tim e
workers, and workers in all 50 States and
th e D istrict o f Columbia.

Additional sources of information
F or detailed explanations o f th e data, See
H a n d b o o k o f M ethods, Bulletin 2414
(Bureau of Labor Statistics, 1992).
The m ost recent data from th e E m ­
ployee Benefits Survey appear in the fo l­
low ing Bureau o f Labor Statistics bulle­
tins: E m ployee B en efits in M e d iu m a n d
L a rg e F irm s; E m p lo yee B en e fits in S m a ll
P rivate E sta b lish m en ts; and E m p lo yee
B en efits in S ta te a n d L o c a l G overnm ents.
A dditionally, articles using data from
the E m ployee Benefits Survey are pub­
lished periodically in the M on th ly Labor
R eview .
bls

Collective bargaining settlements
Description of the series
Collective bargaining settlements

data
provide statistical m easures of negotiated
adjustments (increases, decreases, and
freezes) in com pensation (w age and bene­
fit costs) and w ages alone, quarterly for
private industry and sem iannually for
State and local governm ent. C om pensa­
tion measures cover all collective bar­
gaining situations involving 5,000 w ork­
ers or m ore and wage m easures cover all
situations involving 1,000 w orkers or
m ore. These data, covering private nonagricultural industries and State and lo ­
cal governm ents, are calculated using in ­
form ation obtained from bargaining
agreem ents on file w ith the Bureau, par­
ties to the agreem ents, and secondary
sources, such as new spaper accounts. The
data are not seasonally adjusted.
Settlem ent data are measured in term s
o f future specified adjustments: those

that will occur w ithin 12 m onths of the
contract effective d a te —first y e a r —and
all adjustm ents that will occur over the
life o f the contract expressed as an aver­
age annual rate. A djustm ents are worker
weighted. Both first-year and over-thelife measures exclude wage changes that
m ay occur under cost-of-living clauses
th at are triggered by future m ovem ents in
th e C onsum er Price Index.
Effective wage adjustments measure
all adjustm ents occurring in the reference
period, regardless of th e settlem ent date.
Included are changes from settlem ents
reached during th e period, changes def­
erred from contracts negotiated in earlier
periods, and changes under cost-of-living
adjustm ent clauses. E ach wage change is
worker weighted. The changes are pro­
rated over all workers under agreem ents
during the reference period yielding the
average adjustm ent.

Definitions
Wage rate changes are calculated by di­
viding n ew ly negotiated w ages by the av­
erage straight-tim e hourly wage rate plus
shift prem ium at th e tim e the agreem ent
is reached.
Compensation changes are calculated
by dividing the change in the value of the
n ew ly negotiated w age and benefit pack­
age by existing average hourly com pensa­
tion, w hich includes th e cost o f previous­
ly negotiated benefits, legally required
social insurance program s, and average
h ourly earnings.
Compensation changes are calculated
by placing a value on the benefit portion
o f the settlem ents at the tim e th ey are
reached. The cost estim ates are based on
th e assum ption th at conditions existing at
th e tim e of settlem ent (for exam ple,
m ethods o f financing pensions or com p o­
sition of labor force) w ill rem ain co n ­
stant. The data, therefore, are measures
o f negotiated changes and n ot o f total
changes in em ployer cost.
Contract duration runs from the effec­
tive date o f the agreem ent to th e expira­
tion date or first wage reopening date, if
applicable. A verage annual percent
changes over the contract term take ac­
cou n t o f the com pounding of successive
changes.
Notes on the data
C om parisons o f major collective bar­
gaining settlem ents fo r State and local
governm ent w ith th ose for private indus­
try should note differences in occupation­
al m ix, bargaining practices, and settle­
m ent characteristics. Professional and

w hite-collar em ployees, for exam ple,
m ake up a m uch larger proportion of the
w orkers covered by governm ent than by
private industry settlem ents. Lum p-sum
paym ents and cost-of-living adjustm ents
(c o l a ) clauses, on th e other hand, are
rare in governm ent but com m on in pri­
vate industry settlem ents. A lso, State and
local governm ent bargaining frequently
excludes item s such as pension benefits
and h olidays th at are prescribed by law ,
w hile these item s are typical bargaining
issues in private industry.

Additional sources of information
F or a m ore detailed discussion on the se­
ries, see the b l s H a n d b o o k o f M ethods,
B ulletin 2414 (Bureau of Labor Statistics,
1992). C om prehensive data are published
in press releases issued quarterly (in Jan­
uary, A pril, July, and O ctober) for pri­
vate industry, and sem iannually (in F eb­
ruary and A ugust) for State and local
governm ent. H istorical data and addi­
tional detailed tabulations for the prior
calendar year appear in th e A pril issue of
the b l s periodical, C om pensation a n d
W o r k in g C onditions.

Work stoppages
Description of the series
D ata on work stoppages m easure the
num ber and duration of major strikes or
lock ou ts (involving 1,000 workers or
m ore) occurring during the m onth (or
year), th e num ber of w orkers involved,
and the am ount of tim e lost because of
stoppage.
D ata are largely from new spaper ac­
cou n ts and cover only establishm ents di­
rectly involved in a stoppage. T h ey do n ot
m easure the indirect or secondary effect
o f stoppages on other establishm ents
w hose em ployees are idle ow ing to m ate­
rial shortages or lack of service.

Definitions
Number of stoppages: T he num ber of
strikes and lock ou ts involving 1,000
w orkers or m ore and lasting a full shift or
longer.
Workers involved: T he num ber of
workers directly involved in the stop­
page.
Number of days idle: The aggregate
num ber o f w orkdays lost by workers in ­
volved in the stoppages.
Days of idleness as a percent of esti­
mated working time: A ggregate w ork­


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days lost as a percent of the aggregate
num ber o f standard workdays in the peri­
od multiplied by total em ploym ent in the
period.

are issued throughout the year as the sur­
veys are com pleted.

Price Data
Notes on the data
This series is not com parable w ith th e one
term inated in 1981 that covered strikes
involving six workers or more.

Additional sources of information
D ata for each calendar year are reported
in a b l s press release issued in the first
quarter o f the follow ing year. M onthly
and historical data appear in the b l s peri­
odical, C om pensation a n d W o rk in g C on­
ditions. H istorical data appear in the
H a n d b o o k o f L a b o r Statistics, Bulletin
2340 (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 1989).

Other compensation data
Other b l s data on pay and benefits, not
included in the Current Labor Statistics
section of the M o n th ly L a b o r R eview , ap­
pear in and consist of the follow ing:
O ccupational C om pensation Surveys.
The Bureau restructured its A rea W age
Survey program to provide the data need­
ed under the Federal E m ployees C om pa­
rability A ct of 1990 (5 U .S.C . 5304).
Im plem entation of this act requires sur­
veying pay rates for nonfederal em ­
ployees in various localities across the
country.
In place o f studies o f 90 m etropolitan
areas (32 areas on an annual basis and
tw o groups of 29 areas in alternate years),
th e new program is covering approxi­
m ately 85 publishable areas during the
period of September 1991 through M ay
1993.
D etailed inform ation is provided on
salary levels and distributions for the
types of private industry and State and lo ­
cal governm ent jobs published in th e sur­
vey. A lthough the definitions o f the jobs
surveyed reflect th e duties and responsi­
bilities in private industry and State and
local governm ent, th ey are designed to
m atch specific pay grades of Federal
w hite- and blue-collar em ployees under
th e G eneral Schedule pay system s. A c ­
cordingly, this survey provides the legally
required inform ation for com paring the
pay o f salaried em ployees in the Federal
civil service w ith pay in private industry.
Bulletins titled O ccupational C o m p en ­
sation Survey: P a y a n d B enefits, or O ccu­
p ational C om pensation Survey: P a y O nly

(Tables 2; 3 1 -4 3 )
P r i c e d a t a are gathered by the Bureau
o f Labor Statistics from retail and prim a­
ry markets in the U nited States. Price in ­
dexes are given in relation to a base period
(1982 = 100 for m any Producer P rice In ­
dexes or 1982-84 = 100 for m any C on­
sum er Price Indexes, unless otherw ise
noted).

Consumer Price Indexes
Description of the series
T he Consumer Price Index ( c p i ) is a m ea­
sure of the average change in the prices
paid by urban consum ers for a fixed m ar­
ket basket of goods and services. The c p i
is calculated m on th ly for tw o population
groups, one consisting only of urban
households w hose prim ary source o f in ­
com e is derived from the em ploym ent of
wage earners and clerical workers, and
th e other consisting o f all urban h ouse­
holds. The wage earner index (CPi-w> is a
continuation o f th e historic index that
w as introduced w ell over a half-century
ago for use in wage negotiations. A s new
uses were developed for the c p i in recent
years, the need for a broader and m ore
representative index becam e apparent.
The all-urban consum er index (CPi-U), in ­
troduced in 1978, is representative of the
1 9 8 2 -8 4 buying habits of about 80 per­
cent o f the noninstitutional population o f
th e U nited States at that tim e, com pared
w ith 32 percent represented in the c p i -w .
In addition to wage earners and clerical
w orkers, the c p i -u covers professional,
m anagerial, and technical workers, the
self-em ployed, short-term workers, the
unem ployed, retirees, and others n ot in
th e labor force.
The c p i is based on prices of food,
clothing, shelter, fuel, drugs, transporta­
tion fares, doctors’ and dentists’ fees, and
other goods and services th at people buy
fo r d ay-to-day living. The quantity and
quality of these item s are kept essentially
unchanged betw een major revisions so
that on ly price changes will be m easured.
A ll taxes directly associated w ith the pur­
ch ase and use o f item s are included in th e
index.
D ata collected from m ore than 19,000
retail establishm ents and 57,000 housing
units in 85 urban areas across the country
M o n t h l y L a b o r R e v ie w

M a y 1993

77

Current Labor Statistics
are used to develop the “U.S. city aver­
a g e .” Separate estim ates for 15 major ur­
ban centers are presented in table 32. The
areas listed are as indicated in footn ote 1
to the table. The area indexes measure
on ly the average change in prices for each
area since th e base period, and do not in­
dicate differences in the level of prices
am ong cities.

Notes on the data
In January 1983, the Bureau changed the
w ay in w h ich hom eow nership costs are
m easured for th e c p i -u . A rental equiva­
len ce m ethod replaced the asset-price ap­
proach to hom eow nership costs for that
series. In January 1985, the sam e change
w as m ade in the c p i -w . The central pur­
pose of th e ch an ge was to separate shelter
costs from th e investm ent com p on en t of
h om eow nership so that th e index would
reflect on ly th e cost of shelter services
provided by ow ner-occupied hom es. A n
updated c p i -u and c p r - w were introduced
w ith release of th e January 1987 data.

Additional sources of information
F or a d iscussion of the general m ethod
for com p u tin g th e cpr, see b l s H a n d b o o k
o f M e th o d s, Bulletin 2414 (Bureau of L a­
bor Statistics, 1992). The recent change
in the m easurem ent of hom eow nership
costs is discussed in R obert G illingham
and W alter Lane, “C hanging the treat­
m ent o f shelter costs for hom eow ners in
th e cp r,” M o n th ly L a b o r R eview , July
1982, pp. 9 -1 4 . A n overview of the re­
cen tly introduced revised c p i , reflecting
1 9 8 2 -8 4 expenditure patterns, is co n ­
tained in T h e C o n su m er P rice In d e x :
1987 R evision, R eport 736 (Bureau of L a­
bor Statistics, 1987).
A d d ition al detailed cpr data and regu­
lar analyses of consum er price changes
are provided in th e c p i D etailed R eport, a
m on th ly publication of the Bureau. H is­
torical data for th e overall c p i and for se­
lected groupings m ay be found in the
H a n d b o o k o f L a b o r Statistics, Bulletin
2340 (B ureau o f Labor Statistics, 1989).

Producer Price Indexes
Description of the series
Producer Price Indexes ( p p d m easure av­
erage ch an ges in prices received by do­
m estic producers of com m odities in all
stages o f processing. The sam ple used for
calculating th ese indexes currently con ­
tains about 3 ,100 com m odities and about
78 Monthly Labor Review May 1993

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75,000 quotations per m onth, selected to
represent the m ovem ent o f prices of all
com m odities produced in the m anufac­
turing; agriculture, forestry, and fishing;
mining; and gas and electricity and public
utilities sectors. The stage-of-processing
structure o f Producer Price Indexes orga­
nizes products by class of buyer and de­
gree of fabrication (that is, finished
goods, interm ediate goods, and crude
m aterials). T he traditional com m od ity
structure of p p i organizes products by
sim ilarity of end use or m aterial com p osi­
tion. The industry and product structure
of p p i organizes data in accordance w ith
the Standard Industrial Classification
(sic) and the product code extension of
th e s ic developed by the U .S. Bureau of
th e Census.
T o the extent possible, prices used in
calculating Producer Price Indexes apply
to the first significant com m ercial trans­
action in the U nited States from the pro­
duction or central marketing point. Price
data are generally collected m onthly, pri­
m arily by mail questionnaire. M ost prices
are obtained directly from producing
com panies on a voluntary and confiden­
tial basis. Prices generally are reported
for the T uesday of the week containing
the 13th day o f the m onth.
Since January 1987, price changes for
the various com m odities have been aver­
aged together w ith im plicit quantity
w eights representing their im portance in
th e total net selling value o f all com m od i­
ties as o f 1982. The detailed data
are aggregated to obtain indexes for stage-of-processing groupings, com m od ity
groupings, durability-of-product group­
ings, and a num ber of special com posite
groups. A ll Producer Price Index data
are subject to revision 4 m onths after
original publication.

Notes on the data
Beginning w ith the January 1986 issue,
the R eview is no longer presenting tables
o f Producer P rice Indexes for com m od ity
groupings or special com posite groups.
H ow ever, these data will continue to be
presented in th e Bureau’s m on th ly publi­
cation, P roducer P rice In d e x e s.
The Bureau has com pleted the first
major stage of its com prehensive over­
haul of th e theory, m ethods, and proce­
dures used to construct the Producer
Price Indexes. Changes include the re­
placem ent o f judgm ent sam pling w ith
probability sam pling techniques; expan­
sion to system atic coverage of the net o ut­
put o f virtually all industries in th e m in­
ing and m anufacturing sectors; a shift

from a com m od ity to an industry orienta­
tion; the exclusion of im ports from , and
the inclusion of exports in, the survey uni­
verse; and the respecification of co m m o ­
dities priced to conform to Bureau of the
Census definitions. These and other
changes have been phased in gradually
since 1978. The result is a system of in ­
dexes that is easier to use in conjunction
w ith data on wages, productivity, and
em ploym ent and other series that are or­
ganized in term s o f th e Standard Indus­
trial Classification and the census prod­
uct class designations.

Additional sources of information
F or a discussion of the m eth od ology for
com puting Producer Price Indexes, see
b l s H a n d b o o k o f M eth o d s, B ulletin 2414
(Bureau of Labor Statistics, 1992).
A dditional detailed data and analyses
o f price changes are provided m onthly in
P roducer P rice In d e xe s. Selected histori­
cal data m ay be found in the H a n d b o o k o f
L a b o r Statistics, Bulletin 2340 (Bureau of
Labor Statistics, 1989).

International Price Indexes
Description of the series
The b l s International Price Program
produces quarterly export and im port
price indexes for nonm ilitary goods
traded between the U nited States and the
rest o f the world. The export price index
provides a measure of price change for all
products sold by U.S. residents to foreign
buyers. ( ’’R esid en ts” is defined as in the
national incom e accounts; it includes co r­
porations, businesses, and individuals,
but does not require th e organizations to
be U.S. ow ned nor the individuals to have
U .S. citizenship.) The im port price index
provides a m easure o f price change for
goods purchased from other countries by
U .S. residents. W ith publication o f an all­
im port index in February 1983 and an all­
export index in February 1984, all U.S.
m erchandise im ports and exports now are
represented in these indexes. The refer­
ence period for the indexes is 1985 = 100,
unless otherw ise indicated.
The product universe for both the
im port and export indexes includes raw
m aterials, agricultural products, sem i­
finished m anufactures, and finished m an­
ufactures, including both capital and co n ­
sum er goods. Price data for these item s
are collected quarterly by m ail question­
naire. In nearly all cases, th e data are co l­
lected directly from th e exporter or im ­
porter, although in a few cases, prices are
obtained from other sources.

To the extent possible, th e data gath­
ered refer to prices at th e U .S. border for
exports and at either the foreign border or
the U .S. border for im ports. F or nearly
all products, th e prices refer to transac­
tions com pleted during the first 2 weeks
o f the third m onth of each calendar quar­
te r —M arch, June, September, and D e ­
cem ber. Survey respondents are asked to
indicate all discounts, allow ances, and re­
bates applicable to the reported prices, so
that the price used in th e calculation of
the indexes is the actual price for w hich
the product was bought or sold.
In addition to general indexes of prices
for U .S. exports and im ports, indexes are
also published for detailed product cate­
gories o f exports and im ports. These cate­
gories are defined by the 4- and 5-digit
level o f detail o f th e Standard Interna­
tional Trade C lassification System (srT C ).
The calculation of indexes by s i t c catego­
ry facilitates the com parison of U.S.
price trends and sector production with
sim ilar data for other countries. D etailed
indexes are also com puted and published
on a Standard Industrial C lassification
(src-based) basis, as w ell as by end-use
class.

Notes on the data
The export and im port price indexes are
w eighted indexes o f the L aspeyres type.
Price relatives are assigned equal im por­
tance w ithin each w eight category and
are then aggregated to the s i t c level. The
values assigned to each w eight category
are based on trade value figures com piled
by the Bureau of th e Census. The trade
w eights currently used to com pute both
indexes relate to 1985.
Because a price index depends on the
sam e item s being priced from period to
period, it is necessary to recognize when a
p roduct’s specifications or term s of trans­
action have been m odified. F or this rea­
son, th e B ureau’s quarterly questionnaire
requests detailed descriptions of the ph ys­
ical and functional characteristics of the
products being priced, as w ell as inform a­
tion on the num ber o f units bought or
sold, discounts, credit term s, packaging,
class o f buyer or seller, and so forth.
W hen there are ch anges in either the
specifications or term s of transaction of a
product, th e dollar value of each change
is deleted from the total price change to
obtain the “p u re” change. Once this value
is determ ined, a linking procedure is
em ployed w h ich allow s for th e continued
repricing o f the item .
For the export price indexes, the pre­
ferred pricing basis isf.a .s. (free alongside


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ship) U .S. port of exportation. W hen
firm s report export prices f.o.b. (free on
board), production point inform ation is
collected w hich enables the Bureau to
calculate a shipm ent cost to the port of
exportation. A n attem pt is m ade to col­
lect tw o prices fo r im ports. The first is the
im port price f.o.b. at th e foreign port of
exportation, w hich is consistent with the
basis for valuation o f im ports in the na­
tional accounts. The second is the im port
price c.i.f.(costs, insurance, and freight)
at th e U .S. port of im portation, w hich
also includes th e other costs associated
w ith bringing th e product to the U .S. bor­
der. It does not, how ever, include duty
charges. F or a given product, on ly one
price basis series is used in the construc­
tion of an index.
Beginning in 1988, the Bureau also has
been publishing a series of indexes w hich
represent th e price of U .S. exports and
im ports in foreign currency term s.

Additional sources of information
F or a discussion of the general m ethod
com puting International Price Indexes,
see b l s H a n d b o o k o f M ethods, Bulletin
2414 (Bureau o f Labor Statistics, 1992).
A dditional detailed data and analyses
of international price developm ents are
presented in the B ureau’s quarterly publi­
cation, U .S . Im p o r t a n d E xp o rt P rice I n ­
d exes and in occasional M o n th ly L a b o r
Review articles prepared by b l s analysts.
Selected historical data m ay be found in
the H a n d b o o k o f L a b o r Sta tistics, Bulle­
tin 2340 (Bureau of Labor Statistics,
1989). F or further inform ation on the
foreign currency indexes, see “ b l s pu­
blishes average exchange rate and foreign
currency price in d exes,” M o n th ly L a b o r
R eview , D ecem ber 1987, pp. 47-49.

Productivity Data
(Tables 2: 44-47)

Business sector and major sectors
Description of the series
The productivity measures relate real
physical output to real input. A s such,
th ey encom pass a fam ily o f measures
w hich include single-factor input m ea­
sures, such as output per unit of labor in­
put (output per hour) or output per unit
of capital input, as well as m easures of
m ultifactor productivity (output per unit
of com bined labor and capital inputs).

T he Bureau indexes show th e change in
output relative to changes in the various
inputs. The measures cover the business,
nonfarm business, m anufacturing, and
nonfinancial corporate sectors.
C orresponding indexes of h ourly co m ­
pensation, unit labor costs, unit nonlabor
paym ents, and prices are also provided.

Definitions
Output per hour of all persons (labor pro­
ductivity) is the value o f goods and ser­
vices in constant prices produced per
hour of labor input. Output per unit of
capital services (capital productivity) is
the value of goods and services in con ­
stant dollars produced per unit of capital
services input.
Multifactor productivity is the value
o f goods and services in constant prices
produced per com bined unit o f labor and
capital inputs. C hanges in this measure
reflect changes in a num ber of factors
w hich affect the production process, such
as changes in technology, shifts in the
com position of the labor force, changes in
cap acity utilization, research and devel­
opm ent, skill and effort of the w ork force,
m anagem ent, and so forth. C hanges in
the output per hour m easures reflect the
im pact o f these factors as well as the sub­
stitution of capital for labor.
Compensation per hour is the wages
and salaries o f em ployees plus em ployers’
contributions for social insurance and
private benefit plans, and the wages, sala­
ries, and supplem entary paym ents for the
self-em ployed (except for nonfinancial
corporations in w hich there are no selfe m p lo y ed )—the sum divided by hours at
work. Real compensation per hour is
com pensation per hour deflated by the
change in C onsum er Price Index for A ll
U rban Consumers.
Unit labor cost are the labor com p en ­
sation costs expended in the production
o f a unit of output and are derived by di­
viding com pensation by output. Unit
nonlabor payments include profits, de­
preciation, interest, and indirect taxes per
unit of output. T hey are com puted by
subtracting com pensation of all persons
from current-dollar value of output and
dividing by output. Unit nonlabor costs
contain all th e com ponents of unit nonla­
bor paym ents except unit profits.
U n it profits include corporate profits
w ith inventory valuation and capital con ­
sum ption adjustm ents per unit of output.
H ours of all persons are the total hours
at work of payroll workers, self-em ployed
persons, and unpaid fam ily workers.
C apital services is the flow of services
from the capital stock used in production.
Monthly Labor Review May 1993

79

Current Labor Statistics
It is developed from m easures o f th e net
stock of physical assets — equipm ent,
structures, land,
and in ven tories—
weighted by rental prices for each type of
asset.
Com bined units o f labor and capital in ­
puts are derived by com bining changes in
labor and capital input w ith w eights
w hich represent each com p on en t’s share
of total output. T he indexes for capital
services and com bined units of labor and
capital are based on changing w eights
w hich are averages of th e shares in the
current and preceding year (the T o m quist index-num ber form ula).

Additional sources of information
D escriptions of m ethodology underlying
the m easurem ent of output per hour and
m ultifactor productivity are found in the
b l s H a n d b o o k o f M eth o d s, Bulletin 2414
(Bureau of Labor Statistics, 1992). H is­
torical data are provided in H a n d b o o k o f
L a b o r S ta tistics, Bulletin 2340 (Bureau of
Labor Statistics, 1989).

Additional sources of information
Industry productivity measures
Description of the series

Notes on the data
The output m easure for the business
sector is equal to constant-dollar gross
national product but excludes th e rental
value o f ow ner-occupied dw ellings, the
rest-of-w orld sector, th e output of non­
profit institutions, the output of paid
em ployees of private households, general
governm ent, and th e statistical discrep­
ancy. Output of the nonfarm business
sector is equal to business sector output
less farm ing. The m easures are derived
from data supplied by the U .S. D epart­
m ent o f C om m erce’s Bureau of E con om ­
ic A nalysis and th e Federal R eserve
Board. Q uarterly m anufacturing output
indexes are adjusted by the Bureau
of Labor Statistics to annual estim ates
of m anufacturing output (gross pro­
duct originating) from the Bureau o f
E conom ic A nalysis. C om pensation and
hours data are developed from data o f the
Bureau o f Labor Statistics and the
Bureau of E con om ic A nalysis.
The productivity and associated cost
m easures in tables 4 4 -4 7 describe th e re­
lationship betw een output in real term s
and the labor tim e and capital services in ­
volved in its production. T h ey show the
changes from period to period in the
am ount o f goods and services produced
per unit o f input.
A lth ou gh these m easures relate output
to hours and capital services, th ey do
n ot m easure th e contributions o f labor,
capital, or an y other specific factor of pro­
duction. R ather, th ey reflect the joint ef­
fe c t o f m any influences, including
changes in technology; capital invest­
ment; level of output; u tilization o f cap ac­
ity, energy, and materials; the organiza­
tion o f production; m anagerial skill; and
the characteristics and efforts of the work
force.

80 Monthly Labor Review May 1993

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cies, trade associations, and other
sources.
F or m ost industries, the productivity
indexes refer to the output per hour o f all
em ployees. F or som e transportation in­
dustries, only indexes o f output per em ­
ployee are prepared. F or som e trade and
service industries, indexes o f output per
hour o f all persons (including self-em ­
ployed) are constructed.

T he b l s industry productivity data sup­
plem ent the measures for the business
econ om y and major sectors with annual
m easures o f labor productivity for se­
lected industries at the three- and four-digit levels of the Standard Industrial Clas­
sification system . The industry measures
differ in m ethodology and data sources
from th e productivity m easures for the
major sectors because th e industry m ea­
sures are developed independently o f the
N ation al Incom e and Product A ccou n ts
fram ew ork used for th e major sector
m easures.

F or a listing of available industry produc­
tivity indexes and their com ponents, see
P roductivity M easures fo r S e le cte d I n d u s ­
tries a n d G overnm ent Services, Bulletin
2406 (Bureau o f Labor Statistics, 1992).
F or additional inform ation about the
m ethodology for com puting the industry
productivity measures, see the b l s H a n d ­
book o f M ethods, Bulletin 2414 (Bureau
of Labor Statistics, 1992).

International Comparisons

(Tables 4 8 -5 0 )

Definitions

Labor force and unemployment

Output per em ployee hour is derived by
dividing an index o f industry output by
an index of aggregate hours of all em ­
ployees. Output indexes are based on
quantifiable units o f products or services,
or both, com bined w ith fixed-period
w eights. W henever possible, physical
quantities are used as the unit of measure­
m ent for output. If quantity data are not
available for a given industry, data on the
constant-dollar value o f production are
used.
The labor input series consist o f the
hours o f all em ployees (production and
nonproduction workers), the hours o f all
persons (paid em ployees, partners, pro­
prietors, and unpaid fam ily workers), or
the num ber o f em ployees, depending
upon th e industry.

Description of the series

Notes on the data
T he industry m easures are com piled
from data produced by the Bureau o f L a­
bor Statistics, the D epartm ents o f C om ­
merce, Interior, and A griculture, the
Federal R eserve Board, regulatory agen­

Tables 48 and 49 present com parative
measures of the labor force, em ploy­
ment, and u n em p loym en t—approxim at­
ing U.S. co n cep ts—for th e U nited States,
Canada, Australia, Japan, and several
European countries. The unem ploym ent
statistics (and, to a lesser extent, em ploy­
m ent statistics) published by other indus­
trial countries are not, in m ost cases,
com parable to U .S. unem ploym ent statis­
tics. Therefore, the Bureau adjusts the
figures for selected countries, w here nec­
essary, for all know n major definitional
differences. A lth ou gh precise com para­
bility m ay n ot be achieved, these adjusted
figures provide a better basis for interna­
tional com parisons than the figures regu­
larly published by each country.

Definitions
F or the principal U .S. definitions o f the
labor force, em ploym ent, and unem ploy­
ment, see the N otes section on E m ploy­
m ent and U nem ploym ent Data: H ouse­
hold Survey D ata.

Notes on the data
The adjusted statistics have been adapted
to the age at w hich com pulsory schooling
ends in each country, rather than to the
U .S. standard o f 16 years of age and old­
er. Therefore, the adjusted statistics re­
late to the population age 16 and older in
France, Sweden, and from 1973 onward,
the U nited K ingdom ; 15 and older in
Canada, A ustralia, Japan, G erm any, the
N etherlands, and prior to 1973, the
United K ingdom ; and 14 and older in Ita­
ly. The institutional population is in ­
cluded in the denom inator of th e labor
force participation rates and em ploy­
m ent-population ratios for Japan and
Germ any; it is excluded for th e U nited
States and the other countries.
In the U .S. labor force survey, persons
on layoff w ho are aw aiting recall to their
jobs are classified as unem ployed. Euro­
pean and Japanese layoff practices are
quite different in nature from those in the
United States; therefore, strict applica­
tion o f the U .S. definition has n ot been
made on this point. F or further inform a­
tion, see M o n th ly L a b o r R eview , D ecem ­
ber 1981, pp. 8 -1 1 .
The figures for one or m ore recent
years for France, G erm any, Italy, the
N etherlands, and the U nited K ingdom
are calculated using adjustm ent factors
based on labor force surveys for earlier
years and are considered prelim inary.
The recent-year m easures fo r these cou n ­
tries are, therefore, subject to revision
w henever data from more current labor
force surveys becom e available.
There are breaks in the data series for
G erm any (1983), Italy (1986), the N e th ­
erlands (1983), and Sweden (1987). For
both G erm any and the N etherlands, the
breaks reflect the replacem ent of labor
force survey results tabulated by the na­
tional statistical offices w ith those tabu­
lated by the European C om m unity Statis­
tical O ffice (E u r o s t a t ). T he D u tch
figures for 1983 onw ard also reflect the
replacem ent o f m an-year em ploym ent
data w ith data from the D u tch Survey of
E m ployed Persons. The im p act o f the
changes was to low er the adjusted unem ­
ploym ent rate by 0.3 percentage point for
G erm any and by about 2 percentage
points for the N etherlands.
F or Italy, th e break in series reflects
m ore accurate enum eration of tim e o f last
job search. T his resulted in a significant
increase in the num ber o f people reported
as seeking work in the last 30 days. The
im pact was to increase the Italian unem ­
ploym ent rates approxim ating U .S. con ­
cepts by about 1 percentage point.


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Sweden introduced a new question­
naire. Q uestions regarding current avail­
ability were added and th e period of ac­
tive workseeking w as reduced from 60
days to 4 weeks. These changes result in
low ering Sw eden’s unem ploym ent rate
by 0.5 percentage point.

Additional sources of information
F or further inform ation, see In te r n a ­
tional C om parisons o f U n e m p lo y m e n t,
Bulletin 1979 (Bureau of Labor Statistics,
1978), A ppendix B, and Supplem ents to
A ppendix B. The statistics are also ana­
lyzed periodically in the M o n th ly L a b o r
Review . A dditional historical data, gener­
ally beginning w ith 1959, are published in
the H a n d b o o k o f L a b o r Sta tistics, Bulle­
tin 2340 (Bureau of L abor Statistics,
1989) and are available in statistical sup­
plem ents to Bulletin 1979.

Manufacturing productivity and
labor costs
Description of the series
Table 50 presents com parative measures
of manufacturing labor productivity,
hourly com pensation costs, and unit la­
bor costs for th e U nited States, Canada,
Japan, and nine European countries.
These measures are lim ited to trend co m ­
parison s—that is, intercountry series of
changes over tim e —rather than level
com parisons because reliable interna­
tional com parisons o f the levels of m an­
ufacturing output are unavailable.

In addition, for som e countries, com p en ­
sation is adjusted for other significant
taxes on payrolls or em ploym ent (or re­
duced to reflect subsidies), even if they
are n ot for the direct benefit of workers,
because such taxes are regarded as labor
costs. H ow ever, com pensation does not
include all item s of labor cost. The costs
of recruitm ent, em ployee training, and
plant facilities and services —such as cafe­
terias and m edical c lin ic s—are not co v ­
ered because data are n ot available for
m ost countries. Self-em ployed workers
are included in the U .S. and Canadian
com pensation figures by assum ing that
their hourly com pensation is equal to the
average for wage and salary em ployees.

Notes on the data
For m ost of the countries, the measures
refer to total m anufacturing as defined
by the International Standard Industrial
C lassification. H ow ever, the measures
for France (beginning 1959), Italy (begin­
ning 1970), and th e United K ingdom (be­
ginning 1971) refer to manufacturing and
mining less energy-related products, and
the figures for the N etherlands exclude
petroleum refining from 1969 to 1976.
For all countries, m anufacturing includes
the activities of governm ent enterprises.
The figures for one or more recent
years are generally based on current in d i­
cators o f m anufacturing output, em ploy­
ment, hours, and hourly com pensation
and are considered prelim inary until the
national accounts and other statistics
used for the long-term measures becom es
available.

Definitions

Additional sources of information

Output is constant (value added), gener­
ally taken from the national accounts of
each country. W hile th e national ac­
counting m ethods fo r measuring real out­
put differ considerably am ong the 12
countries, th e use o f different procedures
does not, in itself, conn ote lack of co m ­
parability—rather, it reflects differences
am ong countries in the availability and
reliability o f underlying data series.
Hours refer to all em ployed persons in­
cluding the self-em ployed in the U nited
States and Canada; to all wage and salary
em ployees in th e other countries. The
U .S. hours m easure is hours paid; the
hours measures for th e other countries
are hours worked.
Compensation (labor cost) includes all
paym ents in cash or kind m ade directly to
em ployees plus em ployer expenditures
for legally required insurance program s
and contractual and private benefit plans.

For additional inform ation, see b l s
H a n d b o o k o f M ethods, Bulletin 2414
(Bureau of Labor Statistics, 1992), and
periodic M o n th ly L a b o r Review articles.
H istorical data are provided in the H a n d ­
book o f L a b o r Statistics, Bulletin 2340
(Bureau of Labor Statistics, 1989). The
statistics are issued tw ice per y e a r —in a
new s release (generally in June) and in a
M o n th ly L a b o r Review article.

Occupational Injury and
Illness Data
(Table 50)

Description of the series
The A nnual Survey of O ccupational Inju­
ries and Illnesses is designed to collect

Monthly Labor Review May 1993

81

Current Labor Statistics
data on injuries and illnesses based on re­
cords w hich em ployers in the follow in g
industries m aintain under the O ccupa­
tional Safety and H ealth A ct o f 1970:
agriculture, forestry, and fishing; oil and
gas extraction; construction; m anufac­
turing; transportation and public u tili­
ties; w holesale and retail trade; finance,
insurance, and real estate; and services.
Excluded from the survey are self-em ­
ployed individuals, farm ers w ith few er
than 11 em ployees, em ployers regulated
by other Federal safety and health law s,
and Federal, State, and local governm ent
agencies.
Because the survey is a Federal-State
cooperative program and th e data must
m eet the needs of participating State
agencies, an independent sam ple is se­
lected for each State. The sam ple is se­
lected to represent all private industries
in the States and territories. T he sam ple
size for the survey is dependent upon (1)
the characteristics for w hich estim ates
are needed; (2) the industries fo r w hich
estim ates are desired; (3) the characteris­
tics of the population being sam pled; (4)
the target reliability of th e estim ates; and
(5) the survey design em ployed.
W hile there are m any characteristics
upon w h ich th e sam ple design could be
based, th e total recorded case incidence
rate is used because it is one of the m ost
im portant characteristics and the least
variable; therefore, it requires th e sm all­
est sam ple size.
The survey is based on stratified ran­
dom sam pling w ith a N eym an allocation
and a ratio estim ator. The characteristics
used to stratify the establishm ents are the
Standard Industrial C lassification (sic)
cod e and size o f em ploym ent.

ing a single
environm ent.

incident

in

th e

work

Occupational illness is an abnorm al
condition or disorder, other than one re­
sulting from an occupational injury,
caused by exposure to environm ental fa c­
tors associated with em ploym ent. It in ­
cludes acute and chronic illnesses or dis­
ease w hich m ay be caused by inhalation,
absorption, ingestion, or direct contact.
Lost workday cases are cases w hich in­
volve days aw ay from work, or days of re­
stricted work activity, or both.
Lost workday cases involving re­
stricted work activity are those cases
w hich result in restricted work activity
only.
Lost workdays away from work are
the num ber of workdays (consecutive or
n ot) on w hich the em ployee would have
worked but could n ot because of occupa­
tional injury or illness.

Lost workdays—restricted work ac­
tivity are th e number o f w orkdays (con­
secutive or not) on w hich, because of inju­
ry or illness: (1) the em ployee was
assigned to another job on a tem porary
basis; or (2) the em ployee worked at a
perm anent job less than fu ll time; or (3)
the em ployee worked at a perm anently
assigned job but could n ot perform all du­
ties norm ally connected w ith it.
The num ber of days aw ay from work
or days o f restricted work activity does
n ot include the day of injury or onset of
illness or any days on w hich the em ployee
would n ot have worked even though able
to work.
Incidence rates represent the number
of injuries a n d /o r illnesses or lost work­
days per 100 full-tim e workers.

Definitions

Notes on the data

Recordable occupational injuries and ill­
nesses are: (1) occupational deaths, re­

Estim ates are m ade for industries and
em ploym ent-size classes and for severity
classification: fatalities, lost w orkday
cases, and nonfatal cases w ithout lost
workdays. L ost w orkday cases are sepa­
rated into those in w hich th e em ployee
w ould have worked but could n ot and
th ose in w hich work activity was re­
stricted. Estim ates o f the num ber of cases
and the num ber o f days lost are m ade for
both categories.
M ost of the estim ates are in th e form
of incidence rates, defined as the num ber
of injuries and illnesses, or lost workdays

gardless o f the tim e between injury and
death, or the length of the illness; or (2)
nonfatal occupational illnesses; or (3)
nonfatal occupational injuries w h ich in ­
volve one or m ore o f the follow ing: loss of
consciousness, restriction o f w ork or m o­
tion, transfer to another job, or m edical
treatm ent (other than first aid).
Occupational injury is an y injury,
such as a cut, fracture, sprain, am puta­
tion, and so forth, w hich results from a
work accident or from exposure involv­

82

M o n t h l y L a b o r R e v ie w


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M a y 1993

per 100 full-tim e em ployees. F or this pur­
pose, 200,000 em ployee hours represent
100 em ployee years (2,000 hours per em ­
ployee). A few o f the available measures
are included in the H a n d b o o k o f L a b o r
S tatistics. F u ll detail is presented in the
annual bulletin, O ccupational Injuries
a n d Illnesses in th e U n ited S ta te s, by
In d u stry .
C om parable data for individual States
are available from th e b l s O ffice of Safe­
ty, H ealth, and W orking C onditions.
M ining and railroad data are furnished
to b l s by the M ine Safety and H ealth A d ­
m inistration and th e Federal R ailroad
A dm inistration, respectively, D ata from
these organizations are included in b l s
and State publications. Federal em ­
ployees experience is com piled and pub­
lished by the O ccupational Safety and
H ealth A dm inistration. D ata on State
and local governm ent em ployees are c o l­
lected by about half o f the States and ter­
ritories; these data are n ot com piled
nationally.

Additional sources of information
The Supplem entary D ata System pro­
vides detailed inform ation describing
various factors associated w ith work-re­
lated injuries and illnesses. These data are
obtained from inform ation reported by
em ployers to State w orkers’ com pensa­
tion agencies. The W ork Injury R eport
program exam ines selected types of acci­
dents through an em ployee survey w hich
focuses on th e circum stances surround­
ing the injury. These data are not
included in the H a n d b o o k o f L a b o r S ta ­
tistics but are available from the b l s
O ffice o f Safety, H ealth, and W orking
C onditions.
The definitions o f occupational inju­
ries and illnesses and lost workdays are
from R ec o rd k ee p in g R eq u ire m e n ts u n d e r
th e O ccupational S a fe ty a n d H e a lth A ct o f
1970. F or additional data, see O ccupa­
tional Injuries and Illnesses in the United
States, by Industry, annual Bureau o f L a­
bor Statistics bulletin; b l s H a n d b o o k o f
M ethods, B ulletin 2414 (Bureau o f Labor
Statistics, 1992); H a n d b o o k o f L a b o r S ta ­
tistics, Bulletin 2340 (Bureau o f Labor
Statistics, 1989), pp. 4 1 1 -1 4 ; annual re­
ports in th e M o n th ly L a b o r R eview ; and
annual U .S. D epartm ent of Labor press
releases.

1. Labor market indicators
1992

1991
Selected indicators

1992

1991

IV

III

II

I

II

I

III

IV

Employment data
Employment status of the civilian noninstitutionalized population
(household survey):1

66.0
61.6
6.7
7.0
14.3
5.7
6.3
12.4
5.1
1.9

66.3
61.4
7.4
7.8
15.3
6.4
6.9
13.0
5.7
2.6

66.1
61.8
6.5
6.8
13.8
5.4
6.2
11.8
5.0
1.6

66.2
61.7
6.7
7.1
14.4
5.7
6.3
12.2
5.1
1.8

65.9
61.5
6.7
7.2
14.7
5.7
6.2
12.3
5.0
1.9

66.0
61.4
7.0
7.2
14.7
5.9
6.7
13.2
5.3
2.2

66.1
61.3
7.3
7.7
15.4
6.3
6.7
12.4
5.6
2.5

66.4
61.4
7.5
7.9
15.6
6.5
6.9
13.0
5.7
2.6

66.4
61.4
7.5
7.9
15.3
6.5
7.1
13.4
5.8
2.8

66.2
61.4
7.3
7.6
14.7
6.3
6.9
12.9
5.8
2.8

108,310
89,930
23,830
18,455
84,480

108,437
89,858
23,420
18,190
85,017

108,582
90,250
24,071
18,586
84,511

108,223
89,846
23,844
18,445
84,379

108,250
89,868
23,779
18,427
84,471

108,193
89,765
23,634
18,359
84,559

108,147
89,672
23,528
18,284
84,619

108,432
89,890
23,516
18,263
84,916

108,525
89,879
23,372
18,163
85,153

108,656
89,992
23,271
18,059
85,385

34.3
40.7
3.6

34.4
41.0
3.8

34.2
40.4
3.4

34.3
40.5
3.5

34.3
40.8
3.7

34.4
40.9
3.7

34.5
41.0
3.7

34.4
41.1
4.0

34.4
41.0
3.7

34.5
41.2
3.9

4.3
4.4
4.6
4.3
3.6

3.5
3.5
3.8
3.2
3.7

1.4
1.4
1.4
1.4
1.3

1.0
1.2
1.2
1.2
.2

1.2
1.1
1.1
1.1
1.7

.6
.6
.8
.5
.4

1.2
1.3
1.4
1.1
.7

.6
.7
.7
.7
.4

1.1
.8
.9
.7
1.9

.6
.7
.7
.7
.6

4.6
4.3

4.3
3.2

1.2
1.4

1.2
1.2

1.2
1.0

.9
.6

1.8
1.1

.8
.6

1.1
.8

.6
.7

Employment, nonfarm (payroll data), in thousands:1

Goods-producing........................................................................
Manufacturing..........................................................................
Average hours:

Employment Cost Index
Percent change in the ECI, compensation:
All workers (excluding farm, household, and Federal workers).....

Workers by bargaining status (private industry):
N ° n on
2

Quarterly data seasonally adjusted.
Goods-producing industries include mining, construction, and manufacturing. Service-producing industries include all other private sector industries.


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Monthly Labor Review May 1993

83

Current Labor Statistics : Comparative Indicators
2. Annual and quarterly percent changes in compensation, prices, and productivity
1991
Selected measures
Compensation data:

1991

1992

1992
I

II

III

IV

I

II

III

IV

2

Employment Cost Index-compensation (wages, salaries,
benefits):
Civilian nonfarm ................................................................
Private nonfarm...............................................................
Employment Cost Index-wages and salaries
Civilian nonfarm ................................................................
Private nonfarm ...............................................................

4.3
4.4

3.5
3.5

1.4
1.4

1.0
1.2

1.2
1.1

0.6
.6

1.2
1.3

0.6
.7

1.1
.8

0.6
.7

3.6
3.7

2.7
2.6

1.1
1.1

.8
1.0

1.0
.8

.5
.6

.8
.8

.5
.6

.8
.5

.5
.6

Consumer Price Index (All urban consumers): All items.....

3.1

2.9

.9

.7

.9

.5

1.0

.6

.8

.4

Producer Price Index:
Finished goods.................................................................
Finished consumer goods................................................
Capital equipment ...........................................................
Intermediate materials, supplies, components ...................
Crude materials................................................................

-.1
-.9
2.5
-2.6
-11.6

1.6
1.5
1.6
1.1
2.9

-.9
-1.5
1.0
-2.1
-8.4

.8
.9
.2
.1
-1.4

-.4
-.4
-.2
.3
-1.8

.4
.1
1.4
-.8
-.3

.2
.1
.7
-.1
.2

1.4
1.8
.0
1.6
4.3

-.5
-.3
-.6
.3
.3

.4
-.1
1.6
-.8
-1.9

.3
.5
1.8

2.9
2.8
“

-1.1
-.7
1.5

1.6
1.7
2.1

1.9
1.9
2.1

3.3
2.5
4.2

3.9
3.7
2.3

1.0
1.7
2.5

3.3
2.9
5.1

4.9
4.8

Price data:’

Productivity data:3
Output per hour of all persons:
Business sector...............................................................
Nonfarm business sector.................................................
Nonfinancial corporations 4 ..............................................

' Annual changes are December-to-December change. Quarterly changes
are calculated using the last month of each quarter. Compensation and price
data are not seasonally adjusted and the price data are not compounded.
2 Excludes Federal and private household workers.
3 Annual rates of change are computed by comparing annual averages.

Quarterly percent changes reflect annual rates of change in quarterly in­
dexes. The data are seasonally adjusted.
4 Output per hour of all employees.
- Data not available.

3. Alternative measures of wage and compensation changes
Quarterly average
Components

1£91
III

Four quarters ended-

1992
IV

I

1991
III

H

1992

IV

Average hourly compensation:'
All persons, business sector.............
All persons, nonfarm business sector

3.9
3.9

3.5
3.1

4.0
3.8

1.9
2.4

4.5
4.2

4.4
4.3

3.7
3.7

Employment Cost Index-compensation:
Civilian nonfarm 2 ..............................
Private nonfarm ..............................
Union...........................................
Nonunion......................................
State and local governments...........

1.2
1.1
1.2
1.0
1.7

.6
.6
.9
.6
.4

1.2
1.3
1.8
1.1
.7

.6
.7
.8
.6
.4

1.1
.8
1.1
.8
1.9

.6
.7
.6
.7
.6

3.5
3.5
4.3
3.2
3.7

Employment Cost Index-wages and salaries:
Civilian nonfarm2 ....................................
Private nonfarm ...................................
Union.................................................
Nonunion...........................................
State and local governments.................

1.0
.8
.8
.9
1.7

.5
.6
.8
.5
.4

.8
.8
.8
.8
.5

.5
.6
.9
.5
.4

.8
.5
.8
.5
1.5

.5
.6
.5
.6
.6

3.8
3.7
3.6
3.7
3.9

3.1
2.5
3.0

Total effective wage adjustments3.
From current settlements.......
From prior settlements...........
From cost-of-living provision ....

1.1
.3
.7
.1

.7
.3
.3
.1

.6
.1
.4
.1

1.0
.2
.7
.1

1.0
.3
.6
.1

.4
.2
.2
.1

3.5

3.1

Negotiated wage adjustments from settlements:3
First-year adjustments..................................
Annual rate over life of contract....................

3.2
3.0

3.7
3.2

3.1
3.1

2.8
3.0

2.9
3.1

1.8
2.6

2.7
3.0

Negotiated wage and benefit adjustments from settli
First-year adjustment..................................
Annual rate over life of contract..................

3.7
3.2

3.6
2.9

2.7
3.5

3.6
3.6

3.3
3.0

1.4
2.7

3.0
3.1

Seasonally adjusted.
Excludes Federal and household workers.
Limited to major collective bargaining units of 1,000 workers or more. The

84 Monthly Labor Review May 1993

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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

1.1
1.8
.6

2.7
2.6

.8

1.9
.4

most recent data are preliminary.
4 Limited to major collective bargaining units of 5,000 workers or more. The
most recent data are preliminary.

4.

Employment status of the population, by sex, age, race and Hispanic origin, monthly data seasonally adjusted

(Numbers in thousands)

1991

1992

1993

1992

Annual average
Employment status

Mar.

Apr.

May

June

July

Aug.

Sept.

Oct.

Nov.

Dec.

Jan.

Feb.

Mar.

TOTAL
Civilian noninstitutional
population1..................................
Participation rate .................
Employed .................................
Employment-population

189,765 191,576 191,022 191,168 191,307 191,455 191,622 191,790 191,947 192,131 192,316 192,509 192,644 192,786 192,959
125,303 126,982 126,548 126,743 127,039 127,298 127,350 127,404 127,274 127,066 127,365 127,591 127,083 127,327 127,429
66.3
66.0
66.1
66.2
66.0
66.0
66.4
66.3
66.5
66.5
66.4
66.3
66.2
66.3
66.0
116,877 117,598 117,264 117,518 117,580 117,510 117,722 117,780 117,724 117,687 118,064 118,311 118,071 118,451 118,565
61.6
8,426
6.7
64,462

61.4
9,384
7.4
64,593

61.4
9,284
7.3
64,474

61.5
9,225
7.3
64,425

61.5
9,459
7.4
64,268

61.4
9,788
7.7
64,157

61.4
9,628
7.6
64,272

61.4
9,624
7.6
64,386

61.3
9,550
7.5
64,673

61.3
9,379
7.4
65,065

61.4
9,301
7.3
64,951

61.5
9,280
7.3
64,918

61.3
9,013
7.1
65,561

61.4
8,876
7.0
65,459

61.4
8,864
7.0
65,530

83,806
64,822
77.3
60,714

84,891
65,638
77.3
61,019

84,590
65,436
77.4
60,843

84,671
65,572
77.4
61,033

84,755
65,844
77.7
61,087

84,842
65,813
77.6
61,027

84,944
65,782
77.4
61,070

85,010
65,857
77.5
61,104

85,075
65,805
77.3
61,125

85,159
65,811
77.3
61,088

85,259
65,740
77.1
61,206

85,369
65,785
77.1
61,326

85,445
65,624
76.8
61,423

85,554
65,734
76.8
61,479

85,664
65,901
76.9
61,466

72.4
2,358
58,356
4,109
6.3

71.9
2,355
58,664
4,619
7.0

71.9
2,353
58,490
4,593
7.0

72.1
2,351
58,682
4,539
6.9

72.1
2,366
58,721
4,757
7.2

71.9
2,366
58,661
4,786
7.3

71.9
2,359
58,711
4,712
7.2

71.9
2,363
58,741
4,753
7.2

71.8
2,382
58,743
4,680
7.1

71.7
2,378
58,710
4,723
7.2

71.8
2,326
58,880
4,534
6.9

71.8
2,371
58,955
4,459
6.8

71.9
2,340
59,083
4,201
6.4

71.9
2,299
59,180
4,255
6.5

71.8
2,248
59,218
4,435
6.7

Civilian noninstitutional
population1..................................
Civilian labor force......................
Participation rate .................
Employed .................................
Employment-population

92,584
53,563
57.9
50,535

93,524
54,594
58.4
51,181

93,256
54,458
58.4
51,114

93,320
54,534
58.4
51,136

93,416
54,468
58.3
51,104

93,479
54,682
58.5
51,233

93,562
54,834
58.6
51,307

93,635
54,773
58.5
51,247

93,703
54,611
58.3
51,141

93,771
54,578
58.2
51,182

93,849
54,832
58.4
51,435

93,960
55,010
58.5
51,494

94,007
54,733
58.2
51,246

94,088
54,742
58.2
51,466

94,148
54,779
58.2
51,668

Agriculture.............................
Nonagricultural industries.......

54.6
642
49,893
3,028
5.7

54.7
627
50,553
3,413
6.3

54.8
650
50,464
3,344
6.1

54.8
648
50,488
3,398
6.2

54.7
619
50,485
3,364
6.2

54.8
665
50,568
3,449
6.3

54.8
617
50,690
3,527
6.4

54.7
619
50,628
3,526
6.4

54.6
594
50,547
3,470
6.4

54.6
584
50,598
3,396
6.2

54.8
616
50,819
3,397
6.2

54.8
613
50,881
3,516
6.4

54.5
608
50,638
3,486
6.4

54.7
551
50,915
3,276
6.0

54.9
618
51,050
3,111
5.7

13,376
6,918
51.7
5,628

13,161
6,751
51.3
5,398

13,176
6,654
50.5
5,307

13,177
6,637
50.4
5,349

13,136
6,727
51.2
5,389

13,134
6,803
51.8
5,250

13,116
6,734
51.3
5,345

13,145
6,774
51.5
5,429

13,169
6,858
52.1
5,458

13,200
6,677
50.6
5,417

13,208
6,793
51.4
5,423

13,181
6,796
51.6
5,491

13,191
6,726
51.0
5,401

13,143
6,851
52.1
5,506

13,147
6,749
51.3
5,431

42.1
233
5,395
1,290
18.6

41.0
225
5,174
1,352
20.0

40.3
191
5,116
1,347
20.2

40.6
207
5,142
1,288
19.4

41.0
201
5,188
1,338
19.9

40.0
213
5,037
1,553
22.8

40.8
231
5,114
1,389
20.6

41.3
236
5,193
1,345
19.9

41.4
245
5,213
1,400
20.4

41.0
207
5,210
1,260
18.9

41.1
267
5,156
1,370
20.2

41.7
278
5,213
1,305
19.2

40.9
243
5,158
1,325
19.7

41.9
266
5,240
1,345
19.6

41.3
216
5,215
1,318
19.5

Unemployment rate.............
Not in labor force .......................
Men, 20 years and over
Civilian noninstitutional
population1..................................
Employed .................................
Employment-population
Agriculture.............................
Unemployment rate.............
Women, 20 years ond over

Unemployment rate.............
Both sexes, 16 to 19 years
Civilian noninstitutional
population1..................................
Civilian labor force......................
Employed .................................
Employment-population
Agriculture.............................
Unemployment rate.............
White
Civilian noninstitutional
population’ .................................

161,511 162,658 162,305 162,398 162,483 162,575 162,682 162,791 162,891 163,013 163,132 163,259 163,343 163,429 163,543
107,486 108,526 108,405 108,412 108,551 108,671 108,783 108,707 108,606 108,483 108,723 108,946 108,729 108,754 108,998
66.7
66.5
66.6
66.7
66.6
66.8
66.5
66.8
66.9
66.6
66.8
66.8
66.8
66.7
66.6
Employed ................................. 101,039 101,479 101,340 101,479 101,530 101,307 101,558 101,524 101,412 101,458 101,816 102,043 101,987 102,109 102,339
Employment-population
62.4
62.4
62.3
62.2
62.5
62.4
62.5
62.4
62.3
62.6
62.5
62.5
62.4
62.4
62.6
7,194
7,025
6,907
7,183
6,903
6,742
6,645
7,364
7,225
7,021
6,659
6,933
7,047
7,065
6,447
6.4
6.6
6.6
6.5
6.3
6.2
6.1
6.6
6.1
6.4
6.5
6.8
6.5
6.5
6.0
Unemployment rate.............

Black
Civilian noninstitutional
population1.................................
Participation rate ................
Employed................................
Employment-population
Unemployment rate............

21,615
13,542
62.6
11,863

21,958
13,891
63.3
11,933

21,854
13,729
62.8
11,814

21,882
13,756
62.9
11,857

21,909
13,869
63.3
11,858

21,937
14,001
63.8
11,971

21,966
13,995
63.7
11,979

21,997
14,106
64.1
12,098

22,027
13,981
63.5
12,033

22,061
13,948
63.2
11,984

22,096
13,894
62.9
11,948

22,131
13,935
63.0
11,960

22,157
13,822
62.4
11,853

22,184
14,018
63.2
12,186

22,217
13,834
62.3
11,962

54.9
1,679
12.4

54.0
1,958
14.1

54.1
1,915
13.9

54.2
1,899
13.8

54.1
2,011
14.5

54.6
2,030
14.5

54.5
2,016
14.4

55.0
2,008
14.2

54.6
1,948
13.9

54.3
1,964
14.1

54.1
1,946
14.0

54.0
1,975
14.2

53.5
1,969
14.2

54.9
1,832
13.1

53.8
1,871
13.5

See footnotes at end of table.


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Monthly Labor Review M ay 1993

85

Current Labor Statistics:

Employment Data

4. Continued— Employment status of the population, by sex, age, race and Hispanic origin, monthly data seasonally adjusted
(Numbers in thousands)
Annual average

1992

Employment status

1993

1991

1992

Mar.

Apr.

May

June

July

Aug.

Sept.

Oct.

Nov.

Dec.

Jan.

Feb.

Mar.

14,770
9,762
66.1
8,799

15,244
10,131
66.5
8,971

15,106
10,116
67.0
8,973

15,145
10,032
66.2
8,987

15,184
10,092
66.5
8,951

15,224
10,126
66.5
8,927

15,263
10,150
66.5
8,955

15,303
10,116
66.1
8,969

15,342
10,213
66.6
9,028

15,382
10,210
66.4
9,011

15,421
10,211
66.2
8,990

15,461
10,351
66.9
9,145

15,500
10,225
66.0
9,043

15,540
10,280
66.1
9,108

15,585
10,343
66.4
9,166

59.6
963
9.9

58.9
1,160
11.4

59.4
1,143
11.3

59.3
1,045
10.4

59.0
1,141
11.3

58.6
1,199
11.8

58.7
1,195
11.8

58.6
1,147
11.3

58.8
1,185
11.6

58.6
1,199
11.7

58.3
1,221
12.0

59.1
1,206
11.7

58.3
1,182
11.6

58.6
1,171
11.4

58.8
1,177
11.4

Hispanic origin
Civilian noninstitutional
population'..................................
Civilian labor force......................
Participation rate .................
Employed .................................
Employment-population
ratio2 ..................................
Unemployed.............................
Unemployment rate.............

2 Civilian employment as a percent of the civilian noninstitutional population.
NOTE: Detail for the above race and Hispanic-origin groups will not sum to totals

5.

because data for the "other races” groups are not presented and Hispanics are included
in both the white and black population groups.

Selected employment indicators, monthly data seasonally adjusted

(In thousands)
Annual average
1991

1992

1992
Mar.

Apr.

May

June

July

1993
Aug.

Sept.

Oct.

Nov.

Dec.

Jan.

Feb.

Mar.

CHARACTERISTIC
Employed, 16 years and over...... 116,877 117,598 117,264 117,518 117,580 117,510 117,722 117,780 117,724 117,687 118,064 118,311 118,071 118,451 118,565
Men........................................ 63,593 63,805 63,547 63,777 63,830 63,751 63,830 63,901 63,976 63,924 64,043 64,194 64,186 64,338 64,332
53,284 53,793 53,717 53,741 53,750 53,759 53,892 53,879 53,748 53,763 54,021 54,117 53,885 54,114 54,233
Women ..................................
Married men, spouse present .. 40,423 40,303 40,163 40,317 40,408 40,345 40,252 40,318 40,292 40,324 40,487 40,639 40,607 40,903 40,902
Married women, spouse
present.................................. 29,773 30,136 30,096 30,052 30,160 30,303 30,269 30,212 30,108 30,030 30,244 30,403 30,298 30,515 30,669
Women who maintain families .
6,457
6,582
6,552
6,549
6,565
6,579
6,565
6,641
6,639
6,626
6,585
6,548
6,555
6,615
6,792
MAJOR INDUSTRY AND CLASS
OF WORKER
Agriculture:
Wage and salary workers .......
Self-employed workers...........
Unpaid family workers............
Nonagricultural industries:
Wage and salary workers .......
Government .........................
Private industries..................
Private households............
Other.................................
Self-employed workers...........
Unpaid family workers............

1,673
1,442
118

1,696
1,398
113

1,730
1,371
96

1,747
1,366
100

1,682
1,400
101

1,701
1,396
128

1,712
1,392
111

1,698
1,417
103

1,694
1,397
108

1,656
1,405
118

1,685
1,370
163

1,735
1,397
106

1,661
1,404
145

1,614
1,363
136

1,568
1,377
130

104,520 105,540 105,154 105,494 105,634 105,365 105,619 105,697 105,643 105,863 105,913 105,978 105,883 106,163 106,447
17,901
18,086 17,817 17,699 17,934 18,184 18,275 18,378 18,505 18,371
18,216 18,065 18,481
18,507 18,536
86,619 87,454 87,337 87,795 87,700 87,181 87,344 87,319 87,138 87,492 87,697 87,913 87,402 87,655 87,911
994
1,116
1,071
1,102
1,085
1,139
1,232
1,116
1,158
1,102
1,109
1,091
1,061
1,071
1,143
85,625 86,338 86,266 86,693 86,615 86,042 86,112 86,203 85,980 86,390 86,588 86,822 86,341 86,584 86,769
8,899
8,619
8,663
8,491
8,586
8,595
8,663
8,642
8,662
8,558
8,700
8,668
8,793
9,065
8,832
232
225
240
247
245
253
250
242
217
189
220
221
250
226
206

PERSONS AT WORK
PART TIME’
All industries:
Part time for economic reasons .
Slack work .............................
Could only find part-time work
Voluntary part time ...................
Nonagricultural industries:
Part time for economic reasons .
Slack work .............................
Could only find part-time work
Voluntary part time ...................

6,046
3,201
2,534
15,024

6,385
3,220
2,867
14,759

6,436
3,216
2,912
14,501

6,343
3,115
2,865
14,853

6,486
3,314
2,863
14,589

6,100
3,289
2,592
15,223

6,342
3,283
2,740
14,945

6,352
3,254
2,849
15,082

6,362
3,171
2,879
14,805

6,434
3,160
2,988
14,726

6,493
3,161
3,060
14,834

6,349
3,206
2,865
14,895

6,113
2,994
2,887
14,788

6,461
3,150
2,991
14,698

6,194
3^039
2,855
14,799

5,767
3,011
2,455
14,584

6,116
3,037
2,792
14,329

6,142
3,005
2,853
14,008

6,030
2,852
2,782
14,432

6,181
3,107
2,783
14,135

5,921
3,138
2,519
14,819

6,069
3,123
2,659
14,491

6,099
3,121
2,756
14,721

6,096
3,001
2,826
14,358

6,151
2,993
2,905
14,324

6,230
2,984
2,998
14,413

6,063
3,024
2,793
14,476

5,887
2,800
2,849
14,364

6,242
2,990
2,931
14,282

5,965
2,887
2,781
14,319

1 Excludes persons “with a job but not at work” during the survey period for such reasons as vacation, illness, or industrial disputes.

86 Monthly Labor Review May 1993

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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

6.

Selected unemployment indicators, monthly data seasonally adjusted

(Unemployment rates)
1993

1992

Annual average
Selected categories

May

June

July

Aug.

Sept.

Oct.

Nov.

Dec.

Jan.

Feb.

Mar.

1991

1992

Mar.

Apr.

Total, all workers...........................
Both sexes, 16 to 19 years.......
Men, 20 years and over...........
Women, 20 years and over.......

6.7
18.6
6.3
5.7

7.4
20.0
7.0
6.3

7.3
20.2
7.0
6.1

7.3
19.4
6.9
6.2

7.4
19.9
7.2
6.2

7.7
22.8
7.3
6.3

7.6
20.6
7.2
6.4

7.6
19.9
7.2
6.4

7.5
20.4
7.1
6.4

7.4
18.9
7.2
6.2

7.3
20.2
6.9
6.2

7.3
19.2
6.8
6.4

7.1
19.7
6.4
6.4

7.0
19.6
6.5
6.0

7.0
19.5
6.7
5.7

White, total..........................
Both sexes, 16 to 19 years
Men, 16 to 19 years ....
Women, 16 to 19 years .
Men, 20 years and over ...
Women, 20 years and over

6.0
16.4
17.5
15.2
5.7
4.9

6.5
17.1
18.4
15.7
6.3
5.4

6.5
18.1
20.0
16.0
6.3
5.4

6.4
16.5
17.8
15.0
6.2
5.4

6.5
16.7
18.4
14.9
6.4
5.2

6.8
19.9
21.2
18.4
6.5
5.5

6.6
17.6
18.8
16.3
6.4
5.6

6.6
16.9
18.5
15.2
6.4
5.6

6.6
17.3
18.7
15.8
6.4
5.6

6.5
15.5
15.9
15.1
6.3
5.5

6.4
17.1
17.7
16.4
6.1
5.3

6.3
16.2
17.2
15.1
6.0
5.6

6.2
16.5
18.1
14.9
5.8
5.5

6.1
16.8
17.9
15.6
5.8
5.2

6.1
16.3
16.5
16.0
6.0
5.0

Black, total ..........................
Both sexes, 16 to 19 years
Men, 16 to 19 years....
Women, 16 to 19 years .
Men, 20 years and over ...
Women, 20 years and over

12.4
36.3
36.5
36.1
11.5
10.5

14.1
39.8
42.0
37.2
13.4
11.7

13.9
37.3
38.3
36.1
13.8
11.4

13.8
39.5
43.2
35.7
12.8
11.8

14.5
42.5
43.0
42.1
13.8
11.9

14.5
41.0
45.1
36.4
13.6
12.2

14.4
40.5
42.3
38.4
13.6
12.1

14.2
37.4
42.7
31.8
13.8
11.9

13.9
42.2
44.3
39.8
13.5
11.0

14.1
42.2
44.2
39.8
13.7
11.3

14.0
41.3
44.8
37.5
13.0
11.8

14.2
39.6
42.2
36.5
13.3
11.9

14.2
38.7
39.0
38.5
13.0
12.5

13.1
38.0
37.4
38.6
11.9
11.2

13.5
43.9
45.4
42.0
13.1
10.4

Hispanic origin, total

9.9

11.4

11.3

10.4

11.3

11.8

11.8

11.3

11.6

11.7

12.0

11.7

11.6

11.4

11.4

Married men, spouse present....
Married women, spouse present
Women who maintain families ....
Full-time workers......................
Part-time workers .....................
Unemployed 15 weeks and over
Labor force time lost1 ...............

4.4
4.5
9.1
6.5
8.3
1.9
7.6

5.0
5.0
9.9
7.1
9.2
2.6
8.3

4.9
4.9
9.9
7.0
9.0
2.5
8.3

4.8
5.0
10.0
7.0
8.9
2.4
8.2

5.0
5.0
9.9
7.1
9.3
2.6
8.3

5.1
5.2
10.1
7.4
9.3
2.7
8.4

5.2
5.2
10.3
7.3
9.2
2.8
8.4

5.3
5.0
10.3
7.3
9.1
2.8
8.4

5.2
5.0
9.1
7.2
9.5
2.8
8.3

5.1
5.1
9.3
7.1
9.2
2.8
8.3

4.9
5.0
10.4
7.0
9.2
2.7
8.3

4.8
5.0
10.3
6.9
9.7
2.8
8.1

4.5
4.9
10.6
6.7
9.3
2.6
7.9

4.5
4.4
10.2
6.6
9.1
2.5
7.9

4.7
4.3
9.0
6.6
8.9
2.4
7.9

7.0
7.7
15.4
7.2
7.5
6.8
5.3
7.6
5.4
3.2
11.6

7.7
7.9
16.7
7.8
8.0
7.5
5.5
8.4
6.1
3.5
12.3

7.7
7.7
17.3
7.4
7.5
7.2
5.7
8.5
6.1
3.6
10.5

7.6
7.3
16.6
7.6
7.6
7.6
4.7
8.3
6.0
3.5
10.9

7.7
8.5
16.9
7.7
7.8
7.6
5.1
8.4
6.2
3.5
13.3

7.9
9.0
17.4
8.1
8.1
8.1
5.5
8.6
6.1
3.5
12.8

7.8
9.9
17.0
8.2
8.4
8.0
5.7
8.5
6.0
3.4
13.8

7.9
10.6
17.0
8.0
8.3
7.4
5.4
9.0
6.1
3.4
11.4

7.8
7.2
17.4
8.1
8.4
7.7
5.7
8.5
6.0
3.4
14.3

7.8
8.3
16.1
8.2
8.9
7.3
5.8
8.1
6.4
3.0
12.5

7.5
5.3
14.5
8.0
8.5
7.3
6.1
7.9
6.1
3.8
13.5

7.5
5.5
15.7
7.2
7.5
6.9
5.6
8.0
6.5
3.6
12.2

7.3
7.8
14.3
7.3
7.3
7.2
4.9
7.9
6.3
3.6
11.6

7.2
7.1
13.7
7.2
6.9
7.5
4.6
7.8
6.1
3.6
13.1

7.2
5.5
15.3
7.3
7.0
7.6
4.9
7.9
5.7
3.6
12.1

CHARACTERISTIC

INDUSTRY
Nonagricultural private wage and salary workers ....
Mining..............................................................
Construction....................................................
Manufacturing ..................................................
Durable goods...............................................
Nondurable goods.........................................
Transportation and public utilities ....................
Wholesale and retail trade...............................
Finance and service industries.........................
Government workers............................................
Agricultural wage and salary workers ...................

1 Aggregate hours lost by the unemployed and persons on part time for economic reasons as a percent of potentially available labor force hours.


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Monthly Labor Review May 1993

87

Current Labor Statistics:
7.

Employment Data

Unemployment rates by sex and age, monthly data seasonally adjusted

(Civilian workers)
Annual
ave rage

Sex and age

1991

1992

1992

Mar.

Apr.

May

June

July

1993

Aug.

Sept.

Oct.

Nov.

Dec.

Jan.

Feb.

Mar.

Total, 16 years and over ........
16 to 24 years.....................
16 to 19 years..................
16 to 17 years ................
18 to 19 years ................
20 to 24 years...................
25 years and over................
25 to 54 years ................
55 years and over...........

6.7
13.4
18.6
20.9
17.2
10.8
5.4
5.7
3.9

7.4
14.2
20.0
23.0
18.1
11.3
6.1
6.3
4.8

7.3
14.0
20.2
23.2
18.5
11.0
6.0
6.3
4.4

7.3
13.8
19.4
22.5
17.4
11.0
6.0
6.2
4.7

7.4
14.3
19.9
23.6
17.9
11.6
6.1
6.3
4.8

7.7
15.1
22.8
26.4
20.6
11.2
6.3
6.5
5.2

7.6
14.5
20.6
23.6
18.7
11.6
6.2
6.4
5.3

7.6
14.3
19.9
21.5
18.5
11.5
6.2
6.4
5.2

7.5
14.4
20.4
23.8
18.3
11.4
6.2
6.4
5.0

7.4
13.6
18.9
22.1
16.8
11.0
6.2
6.4
4.9

7.3
14.1
20.2
23.8
17.9
11.1
6.0
6.3
4.7

7.3
13 9
19.2
21 8
17 8
11.3
6.0
6.3
4.6

7.1
14.0
19.7
24.0
16.2

7.0
14.0
19.6
21.3
18.3

7.0
13.6
19.5
24.3
16.4

11.1

11.2

10.6

5.8

5.6
5.8
4.3

5.7
5.9
4.2

Men, 16 years and over....
16 to 24 years ................
16 to 19 years..............
16 to 17 years...........
18 to 19 years...........
20 to 24 years.............. .
25 years and over...........
25 to 54 years............
55 years and over.......

7.0
14.3
19.8
21.6
18.6
11.7
5.7
5.9
4.3

7.8
15.3
21.5
24.4
19.5
12.2
6.4
6.6
5.2

7.8
15.6
22.1
25.4
20.2
12.5
6.3
6.5
5.0

7.6
15.1
20.9
23.9
18.9
12.2
6.3
6.5
5.1

7.9
15.5
21.2
25.5
19.2
12.8
6.5
6.7
5.2

8.2
16.1
24.4
28.5
22.1
12.0
6.7
6.8
5.8

7.9
15.5
21.9
24.9
20.0
12.4
6.5
6.7
5.6

8.0
15.2
21.8
23.7
20.4
12.0
6.6
6.8
5.5

7.9
15.1
21.8
24.5
19.9
11.7
6.5
6.8
5.4

7.8
14.4
19.5
22.6
17.8
11.9
6.6
6.8
5.5

7.6
15.1
21.1
25.1
18.5
12.2
6.3
6.5
5.0

7.5
14 7
20 5
22 6
19 3
11 8
6.2
6.4
5.1

7.1
14.7
20.9
26.0
16.7

Women, 16 years and over
16 to 24 years................
16 to 19 years .............
16 to 17 years ...........
18 to 19 years ...........
20 to 24 years .............
25 years and over...........
25 to 54 years ...........
55 years and over.....

6.3
6.9
12.4
13.0
17.4
18.5
20.1
21.4
15.8
16.5
9.8
10.2
5.1
5.7
5.4
6.0
3.41 4.2

6.8
12.3
18.2
20.7
16.7
9.4
5.7
6.0
3.7

6.9
12.3
17.7
21.0
15.8
9.7
5.7
6.0
4.0

6.9
12.9
18.4
21.5
16.6
10.2
5.7
5.8
4.3

7.1
13.9
21.0
24.1
18.8
10.3
5.8
6.0
4.5

7.1
13.5
19.2
22.2
17.3
10.7
5.8
6.0
4.9

7.1
13.2
17.7
19.2
16.3
10.9
5.8
6.0
4.8

7.0
13.6
18.8
23.0
16.5
11.1
5.8
6.0
4.5

6.9
12.7
18.2
21.6
15.8
10.0
5.7
5.9
4.3

6.9
12.9
19.1
22.4
17.2
9.8
5.7
5.9
4.3

7.0
13.0
17.7
21.0
16.2
10.6
5.8
62
3.9

8.

6.0

4.5

7.2
14.5

7.4
14.4

20.6

20.2

5.8

23.0
18.9
11.4
5.9

24.1
17.7
11.5

6.0

6.1

4.6

4.5

6.3
4.8

7.0
13.1
18.5
21.7
15.6
10.4
5.8

6.7
13.4
18.6
19.4
17.6

11.8

6.1

6.4
12.7
18.8
24.6
15.0
9.7
5.1
5.4
3.4

10.8

5.3
5.5
4.0

6.0

4.3

Unemployed persons by reason for unemployment, monthly data seasonally adjusted

(Numbers in thousands)
Annual average

1992

Reason for unemployment
1991

1992

Mar.

Apr.

May

4,608
1,279
3,329
979
2,087
753

5,291
1,246
4,045
975
2,228
890

5,269
1,235
4,034
947
2,203
832

5,219
1,227
3,992
1,009
2,137
853

5,430
1,211
4,219
992
2,194
863

54.7
15.2
39.5
11.6
24.8
8.9

56.4
13.3
43.1
10.4
23.7
9.5

57.0
13.3
43.6
10.2
23.8
9.0

56.6
13.3
43.3
10.9
23.2
9.3

3.7
.8
1.7
.6

4.2
.8
1.8
.7

4.2
.7
1.7
.7

4.1
.8
1.7
.7

Job losers .........................................
On layoff.........................................
Other job losers...............................
Job leavers ........................................
Reentrants .........................................
New entrants .....................................

June

1993

July

Aug.

5,535
1,312
4,223
1,017
2,266
999

5,462
1,296
4,166
1,003
2,273
958

5,414
1,255
4,159
1,009
2,246
941

57.3
12.8
44.5
10.5
23.1
9.1

56.4
13.4
43.0
10.4
23.1
10.2

56.3
13.4
43.0
10.3
23.4
9.9

4.3
.8
1.7
.7

4.3
.8
1.8
.8

4.3
.8
1.8
.8

Sept.

Oct.

Nov.

Dec.

Jan.

Feb.

5,438
1,335
4,103
963
2,274
944

5,492
1,265
4,227
913
2,206
784

5,207
1,195
4,012
977
2,194
930

5,138
1,204
3,934
972
2,237
930

4,847
1,029
3,818
821
2,346
960

4 648
1,049
3,599
1,046
2,299
887

56.3
13.1
43.3
10.5
23.4
9.8

56.5
13.9
42.7
10.0
23.6
9.8

58.5
13.5
45.0
9.7
23.5
8.3

55.9
12.8
43.1
10.5
23.6
10.0

55.4
13.0
42.4
10.5
24.1
10.0

54.0
11.5
42.5
9.1
26.1
10.7

52 3
11 8
40 5
11 8
25 9
10.0

4.2
.8
1.8
.7

4.3
.8
1.8
.7

4.3
.7
1.7
.6

4.1
.8
1.7
.7

4.0
.8
1.8
.7

3.8
.6
1.8
.8

3.7
8
1.8
.7

Mar.

2 047

930

PERCENT OF UNEMPLOYED
Job losers........................................
On layoff.......................................
Other job losers............................
Job leavers......................................
Reentrants.......................................
New entrants ..................................

23 0

10.5

PERCENT OF
CIVILIAN LABOR FORCE
Job losers ......................................
Job leavers....................................
Reentrants .....................................
New entrants..................................

9.

38
16
.7

Duration of unemployment, monthly data seasonally adjusted

(Numbers in thousands)
Annual average

1992

Weeks of unemployment
Less than 5 weeks ...
5 to 14 weeks .........
15 weeks and over ...
15 to 26 weeks ....
27 weeks and over
Mean duration in weeks ...
Median duration in weeks

1991

1992

Mar.

Apr.

May

June

July

Aug.

Sept.

Oct.

Nov.

Dec.

Jan.

Feb.

Mar.

3,380
2,724
2,323
1,225
1,098

3,270
2,760
3,354
1,424
1,930

3,291
2,698
3,185
1,417
1,768

3,269
2,706
3,072
1,303
1,769

3,362
2,663
3,349
1,405
1,944

3,512
2,783
3,432
1,363
2,069

3,373
2,776
3,547
1,459
2,088

3,289
2,846
3,547
1,502
2,045

3,281
2,847
3,522
1,427
2,095

3,192

3,042

3,564
1,475
2,089

3,120
2,835
3,446
1,438
2,008

3,605
1,540
2,065

3,272
2,481
3,317
1,407
1,910

3,232
2,487
3,143
1,236
1,907

3,102
2,566
3,073
1,259
1,814

13.8
6.9

17.9

17.0

17.2

17.9

8.1

8.6

8.8

18.2
8.7

18.3

8.8

18.3
8.9

18.5
9.3

19.2
9.3

18.4
9.4

19.2
9.4

18.7
8.5

18.3

17.5
8.3

88 Monthly Labor Review May 1993

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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

8.6

2,666

2,688

8.2

10.

Unemployment rates by State, data not seasonally adjusted
State

Feb.
1992

Feb.
1993P

California................................................

7.8
11.0
8.3
7.7
9.2

7.9
9.8
7.4
7.0
10.3

Florida....................................................

6.6
8.2
5.4
8.3
8.7

6.5
7.5
5.9
9.0
7.0

Idaho......................................................
Illinois.....................................................
Indiana...................................................

6.6
3.7
7.9
8.9
6.4

6.8
4.8
7.9
8.4
6.9

4.8
4.0
8.2
7.3
9.2

5.0
4.8
6.4
7.3
9.6

7.5
8.5
9.8
5.3
8.7
6.0

6.7
8.3
7.5
6.4
6.7
6.7

Feb.
1992

Feb.
1993p

Montana................................................
Nebraska...............................................
Nevada ..................................................
New Hampshire ....................................

8.3
2.9
7.3
7.4

8.1
3.1
7.2
8.6

New Jersey...........................................
New Mexico..........................................
New York..............................................

8.1
7.7
9.3
6.6
5.0

8.3
6.9
8.5
5.7
5.3

Oregon.................................................
Pennsylvania .........................................
Rhode Island.........................................

8.1
7.3
8.4
8.6
8.3

7.8
6.0
8.3
8.2
8.2

South Carolina ......................................
South Dakota ........................................
Tennessee ............................................
Texas ....................................................
Utah......................................................

7.5
3.4
7.6
7.9
4.9

6.7
4.2
6.5
8.1
4.2

Vermont ................................................
Virginia ..................................................
Washington...........................................
West Virginia.........................................
Wisconsin..............................................

7.0
7.3
8.4
13.4
6.3

7.3
5.5
8.7
11.7
5.7

Wyoming...............................................

8.3

6.5

State

North Dakota.........................................
Ohio......................................................

Iowa
Kansas...................................................
Kentucky.................................................
Maine.....................................................
Maryland.................................................
Michigan.................................................
Minnesota...............................................
Mississippi..............................................

p = preliminary
NOTE: Some data in this table may differ from data published elsewhere because of the continual updating of the database.

11. Employment of workers on nonfarm payrolls by State, data not seasonally adjusted
(In thousands)
State

Arkansas ...................................................

Delaware...................................................
District of Columbia...................................

Hawaii........................................................
Illinois ........................................................

Kansas ......................................................
Kentucky...................................................
Louisiana...................................................
1t _
ài

1

ri

Minnesota.................................................
Mississippi.................................................
Montana....................................................

Feb. 1992

Jan. 1993

Feb. 1993p

State

Feb. 1992

Jan. 1993

1,643.6
235.1
1,502.6
941.5
12,078.1

1,678.0
233.6
1,523.0
961.4
11,898.3

1,685.9
238.2
1,544.7
968.4
11,942.4

Nebraska..................................................
Nevada ....................................................
New Hampshire........................................

732.9
622.1
471.0

736.0
644.9
483.4

Feb. 1993p
738.4
647.8
485.3

1,558.0
1,508.3
329.8
667.4
5,308.8

1,592.1
1,486.6
341.2
669.7
5,386.4

1,604.5
1,486.6
340.3
673.1
5,441.8

New Jersey..............................................
New Mexico .............................................
New York.................................................
North Carolina ..........................................
North Dakota...........................................

3,394.2
584.7
7,622.1
3,058.3
268.6

3,369.9
590.1
7,568.9
3,148.9
276.6

3,364.9
596.5
7,599.2
3,160.8
277.4

2,911.3
543.2
398.8
5,110.2
2,483.9

3,006.2
532.7
412.8
5,136.1
2,522.4

3,011.7
537.2
416.0
5,148.5
2,525.1

Ohio .........................................................
Oklahoma.................................................
Oregon.....................................................
Pennsylvania............................................
Rhode Island............................................

4,735.2
1,202.6
1,235.6
4,984.1
410.7

4,783.6
1,195.8
1,252.3
5,010.3
417.3

4,787.4
1,202.6
1,264.6
5,035.7
415.7

1,220.4
1,093.9
1,470.2
1,600.7
490.0

1,231.7
1,108.9
1,502.1
1,608.8
502.0

1,235.3
1,119.1
1,505.5
1,615.1
501.5

South Carolina..........................................
South Dakota...........................................
Tennessee ...............................................
Texas .......................................................
Utah .........................................................

1,496.8
297.1
2,177.6
7,145.8
748.5

1,528.5
303.4
2,212.6
7,323.8
769.3

1,534.7
304.0
2,219.7
7,344.2
776.3

2 037.5
2 742.6
3,835.2
2^116.7
940.1
2,276.4
302.9

2,034.4
2J34.3
3,903.0
2,175.5
971.9
2,282.1
313.7

2,038.4
2,734.4
3,908.6
2,178.4
977.2
2,304.3
314.9

Vermont...................................................
Virginia.....................................................
Washington ..............................................
West Virginia............................................
Wisconsin.................................................

248.9
2,783.6
2,164.3
620.1
2,277.4

248.6
2,817.4
2,191.9
635.0
2,318.9

251.9
2,819.2
2,198.5
632.8
2,331.2

Wyoming..................................................
Puerto Rico ..............................................
Virgin Islands ...........................................

195.8
841.9
44.2

197.1
845.2
44.8

196.9
845.9
45.9

p = preliminary
NOTE: Some data in this table may differ from data published elsewhere because of the continual updating of the database.


https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

Monthly Labor Review May 1993

89

C u r r e n t L a b o r S ta tis tic s :

E m p lo y m e n t D a ta

12. Employment of workers on nonfarm payrolls by industry, monthly data seasonally adjusted
(In thousands)
Annua average

1992

Industry
1991

1992

Mar.

Apr.

May

June

July

Aug.

Sept.

Oct.

Nov.

Dec.

Jan.

TOTAL ................................... 108,310 108,437 108,200 108,377 108,496 108,423 108,594 108,485 108,497 108,571 108,646 108 752
PRIVATE SECTOR ................... 89,930 89,858 89,693 89,835 89,950 89,885 89,988 89,803 89,847 89,948 89,961 90^067

Feb.p

Mar.p

109,232 109,210
90,546 90,536

GOODS-PRODUCING ..................
Mining ........................................

23,830
691

23,420
635

23,532
651

23,530
646

23,548
641

23,470
634

23,459
633

23,362
626

23,296
620

23,270
623

23,280
622

23,263
619

23,267
616

23,368
604

23,303
607

Construction .............................
General building contractors.....

4,685
1,152

4,595
1,103

4,603
1,115

4,605
1,108

4,632
1,101

4,600
1,093

4,584
1,096

4,591
1,100

4,574
1,097

4,601
1,098

4,590
1,093

4,582
1,084

4,559
1,086

4,652
1,099

4,593
1,087

Manufacturing...........................
Production workers ..................

18,455
12,467

18,190
12,345

18,278
12,406

18,279
12,412

18,275
12,410

18,236
12,378

18,242
12,392

18,145
12,307

18,102
12,270

18,046
12,235

18,068
12,274

18 062
12,284

18,092
12,342

18,112
12,350

18,103
12,349

Durable go o d s.........................
Production workers ..................

10,602
6,988

10,339
6,859

10,417
6,909

10,409
6,903

10,398
6,896

10,371
6,876

10,347
6,867

10,298
6,828

10,271
6,809

10,231
6,789

10,247
6,819

10 238
6,822

10,265
6,867

10,272
6,867

10,254
6,857

679
472
524
726

687
465
519
703

689
465
518
710

688
467
520
708

687
467
522
707

684
469
521
706

683
470
521
702

682
465
520
701

683
461
520
699

689
461
518
695

695
461
518
695

697
462
519
693

696
463
517
694

704
466
525
695

703
466
521
693

264
1,359

254
1,335

258
1,342

257
1,341

256
1,343

255
1,338

253
1,335

252
1,334

252
1,330

250
1,323

248
1,323

245
1,323

244
1,331

245
1,335

244
1,335

2,007

1,946

1,948

1,949

1,959

1,954

1,947

1,941

1,943

1,935

1,935

1,933

1,936

1,933

1,933

1,598
1,891
789
980

1,549
1,827
812
943

1,560
1,863
814
956

1,557
1,859
821
952

1,554
1,842
813
949

1,549
1,836
814
946

1,545
1,829
818
943

1,536
1,816
814
938

1,538
1,797
803
935

1,534
1,782
802
930

1,537
1,790
818
927

1,537
1 788
823
921

1,540
1,805
874
920

1,544
1,788
841
918

1,547
1,773
835
916

366

366

366

368

368

368

372

365

365

364

366

365

363

364

367

Nondurable g o o d s.....................
Production workers.....................

7,852
5,479

7,851
5,486

7,861
5,497

7,870
5,509

7,877
5,514

7,865
5,502

7,895
5,525

7,847
5,479

7,831
5,461

7,815
5,446

7,821
5,455

7,824
5^462

7,827
5,475

7,840
5,483

7,849
5,492

Food and kindred products.........
Tobacco products.......................
Textile mill products...................
Apparel and other textile
products....................................
Paper and allied products ...........

1,672
49
672

1,670
49
678

1,671
49
682

1,677
50
682

1,678
49
679

1,671
49
680

1,685
49
682

1,672
51
675

1,661
50
677

1,661
49
672

1,664
47
675

1,664
49
678

1,671
49
676

1,674
48
678

1,674
48
677

1,010
688

1,018
688

1,025
687

1,023
689

1,026
691

1,023
689

1,034
689

1,013
687

1,007
692

1,004
688

1,006
688

1,004
686

1,004
685

1,005
685

1,006
685

Printing and publishing................
Chemicals and allied products....
Petroleum and coal products......
Rubber and mise, plastics
products....................................
Leather and leather products .....

1,541
1,072
159

1,521
1,071
155

1,519
. 1,071
157

1,521
1,072
157

1,522
1,073
156

1,520
1,073
155

1,522
1,070
154

1,521
1,072
153

1,523
1,069
152

1,520
1,069
152

1,518
1,069
152

1 520
1,068
151

1,515
1,068
152

1,520
1,066
152

1,520
1,068
152

864
125

879
123

877
123

876
123

880
123

883
122

884
126

880
123

877
123

877
123

880
122

883
121

887

891

897

120

121

122

SERVICE-PRODUCING ................
Transportation and public
utilities.......................................
Transportation............................
Communications and public
utilities.......................................

84,480

85,017

84,668

84,847

84,948

84,953

85,135

85,123

85,201

85,301

85,366

85 489

85,598

85,864

85,907

5,772
3,512

5,742
3,520

5,754
3,524

5,746
3,523

5,745
3,522

5,745
3,524

5,742
3,524

5,729
3,514

5,738
3,520

5,731
3,516

5,732
3,517

5,742
3 531

5,763
3,550

5,765
3,554

5,772
3,562

2,260

2,222

2,230

2,223

2,223

2,221

2,218

2,215

2,218

2,215

2,215

2,211

2,213

2,211

2,210

Wholesale trade .........................

6,069

5,983

5,997

5,993

5,993

5,988

5,972

5,964

5,957

5,969

5,976

5,970

5,995

6,004

6,006

Retail trad e.................................
General merchandise stores.......
Food stores................................
Automotive dealers and service
stations.....................................
Eating and drinking places..........

19,259
2,426
3,204

19,138
2,309
3,178

19,092
2,344
3,179

19,177
2,338
3,194

19,150
2,334
3,188

19,156
2,318
3,192

19,184
2,306
3,179

19,106
2,296
3,169

19,122
2,296
3,176

19,146
2,285
3,170

19,116
2,262
3,165

19,162
2,255
3,168

19,227
2,228
3,176

19,363
2,270
3,188

19,356
2,273
3,192

1,996
6,465

2,011
6,485

2,004
6,431

2,007
6,470

2,007
6,462

2,011
6,473

2,012
6,502

2,013
6,463

2,012
6,494

2,017
6,513

2,023
6,536

2,034
6,579

2,041
6,621

2,053
6,651

2,059
6,662

Finance, insurance, and real
e state........................................
Finance ......................................
Insurance.................... ..............
Real estate.................................

6,678
3,211
2,163
1,305

6,672
3,232
2,139
1,301

6,675
3,224
2,149
1,302

6,682
3,230
2,149
1,303

6,681
3,234
2,144
1,303

6,672
3,232
2,138
1,302

6,660
3,228
2,135
1,297

6,661
3,227
2,133
1,301

6,669
3,238
2,132
1,299

6,680
3,244
2,133
1,303

6,669
3,243
2,129
1,297

6,677
3,251
2,124
L302

6,682
3,264
2,116
1,302

6,680
3,260
2,115
1,305

6,673
3,260
2,116
1,297

Services......................................
Business services.......................
Health services..........................

28,323
5,087
8,177

28,903
5,290
8,464

28,643
5,174
8,387

28,707
5,233
8,412

28,833
5,278
8,437

28,854
5,292
8,446

28,971
5,300
8,478

28,981
5,319
8,488

29,065
5,322
8,506

29,152
5,406
8,535

29,188
5,427
8,561

29,253
5,458
8,580

29,267
5,445
8,589

29,366
5,478
8,614

29,426
5,515
8,623

Government ...............................
Federal.......................................
State ..........................................
Local..........................................

18,380
2,966
4,346
11,067

18,579
2,969
4,371
11,239

18,507
2,989
4,345
11,173

18,542
2,986
4,360
11,196

18,546
2,984
4,367
11,195

18,538
2,972
4,357
11,209

18,606
2,957
4,388
11,261

18,682
2,959
4,383
11,340

18,650
2,967
4,401
11,282

18,623
2,942
4,390
11,291

18,685
2,940
4,384
11,361

18,685
2,971
4,389
11,325

18,664
2,943
4,394
11,327

18,686
2,938
4,395
11,353

18,674
2,916
4,395
11,363

Lumber and wood products.......
Furniture and fixtures.................
Stone, clay, and glass products ..
Primary metal industries ............
Blast furnaces and basic steel
products....................................
Fabricated metal products...........
Industrial machinery and
equipment.................................
Electronic and other
electrical equipment...................
Transportation equipment...........
Motor vehicles and equipment ....
Instruments and related products
Miscellaneous manufacturing
industries..................................

p = preliminary
NOTE: See notes on the data for a description of the most recent benchmark revision.

90 Monthly Labor Review May 1993

https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

13. Average weekly hours of production or nonsupervisory workers on private nonfarm payrolls by industry, monthly
data seasonally adjusted

Industry

Annual
average
1991

1992

1992
Mar.

Apr.

June

May

July

1993

Aug.

Sept.

Oct.

Nov.

Dec.

Jan.

Feb.» Mar.»

PRIVATE SECTOR ........................................

34.3

34.4

34.5

34.3

34.6

34.3

34.3

34.6

34.3

34.5

34.6

34.3

34.5

34.4

34.3

MINING...............................................................

44.4

44.0

44.3

44.2

44.3

43.4

43.7

44.4

43.8

44.0

44.3

43.7

44.3

43.9

43.5

MANUFACTURING.............................................
Overtime hours............................................

40.7
3.6

41.0
3.8

41.1
3.8

41.1
3.9

41.3
4.1

41.0
3.8

41.0
3.8

41.0
3.7

40.9
3.5

41.1
3.8

41.2
3.9

41.2
3.9

41.4 - 41.5
4.0
4.3

41.2
3.9

Durable g o o d s..................................................
Overtime hours............................................
Lumber and wood products..............................
Furniture and fixtures........................................
Stone, clay, and glass products........................
Primary metal industries ...................................
Blast furnaces and basic steel products.........
Fabricated metal products ................................

41.1
3.5
40.0
38.9
41.7
42.2
42.7
41.2

41.5
3.7
40.6
39.7
42.2
43.0
43.5
41.6

41.6
3.7
41.0
40.1
42.0
43.0
43.5
41.6

41.5
3.8
40.6
40.0
42.4
43.2
44.0
41.3

41.9
4.1
40.8
40.0
42.5
43.6
44.1
41.9

41.5
3.8
40.1
39.8
42.3
43.2
43.8
41.6

41.6
3.8
40.8
40.1
42.5
43.1
43.8
41.9

41.6
3.7
40.5
39.4
42.3
43.1
43.9
41.6

41.2
3.4
40.3
39.2
42.5
42.7
42.4
41.1

41.6
3.8
40.7
39.7
42.4
42.8
42.8
41.7

41.8
3.9
40.9
40.1
42.3
43.0
43.1
41.8

41.8
3.9
40.4
39.9
42.1
43.4
43.6
41.8

42.0
4.1
40.5
40.2
42.2
43.7
44.0
42.0

42.2
4.4
40.9
40.3
42.5
44.0
44.6
42.2

41.9
4.1
40.2
39.9
42.3
43.5
44.4
41.9

Industrial machinery and equipment..................
Electronic and other electrical equipment .........
Transportation equipment.................................
Motor vehicles and equipment........................
Instruments and related products .....................
Miscellaneous manufacturing............................

41.7
40.7
41.9
42.3
41.0
39.6

42.2
41.2
41.8
42.4
41.1
39.9

42.2
41.2
42.0
42.5
41.2
40.0

42.1
41.0
41.8
43.2
40.9
39.9

42.6
41.5
42.2
43.1
41.4
40.0

42.2
41.1
41.9
42.6
41.2
40.0

42.1
41.3
41.5
42.5
41.1
40.1

42.2
41.2
42.2
42.9
41.2
39.7

42.0
41.0
40.9
41.0
41.0
39.5

42.5
41.3
41.5
41.5
41.3
40.0

42.8
41.6
41.8
42.3
41.3
40.0

42.6
41.5
42.4
43.5
41.1
39.8

42.9
41.7
42.6
43.7
41.4
39.8

42.9
41.9
42.9
44.5
40.9
39.9

42.8
41.4
42.7
44.3
41.3
39.7

Nondurable g o o d s...........................................
Overtime hours............................................
Food and kindred products...............................
Textile mill products.........................................
Apparel and other textile products....................
Paper and allied products.................................

40.2
3.7
40.6
40.6
37.0
43.3

40.4
3.8
40.6
41.1
37.2
43.6

40.5
3.9
40.7
41.3
37.4
43.6

40.6
4.1
40.7
41.4
37.2
44.0

40.5
4.1
40.5
41.4
37.3
43.8

40.4
3.9
40.3
41.3
37.2
43.7

40.3
3.8
40.3
41.0
37.2
43.5

40.3
3.8
40.5
40.8
37.2
43.5

40.5
3.8
40.8
41.8
37.4
43.9

40.4
3.9
40.9
40.8
37.4
43.4

40.5
3.9
40.8
41.1
37.6
43.4

40.5
3.9
40.6
41.5
37.4
43.4

40.7
3.9
40.6
41.8
37.6
43.5

40.7
4.2
40.8
41.9
37.6
43.7

40.3
3.8
40.5
40.1
37.3
43.3

Printing and publishing...................................
Chemicals and allied products..........................
Rubber and miscellaneous plastics products....
Leather and leather products...........................

37.7
42.9
41.1
37.5

38.1
43.1
41.7
38.0

38.1
43.1
41.7
37.6

38.0
43.1
42.3
38.0

38.2
43.4
41.9
38.2

38.1
43.2
41.8
38.0

38.0
43.1
41.6
38.4

38.0
43.1
41.7
37.9

38.1
42.9
41.5
37.8

38.2
42.8
41.5
38.4

38.1
42.9
41.8
39.2

38.0
42.9
41.9
38.6

38.2
43.0
42.2
39.5

38.2
43.0
42.3
39.7

38.1
42.9
41.8
39.2

TRANSPORTATION AND PUBLIC UTILITIES...

38.7

38.8

38.5

38.2

38.8

38.6

38.8

39.3

38.9

38.9

39.5

39.1

39.5

39.4

39.7

WHOLESALE TRADE........................................

38.1

38.2

38.3

38.3

38.3

38.1

38.0

38.5

38.0

38.1

38.5

38.0

38.2

38.1

37.9

RETAIL TRADE .................................................

28.6

28.8

28.8

28.6

28.8

28.6

28.5

28.9

28.9

28.9

29.0

28.7

28.8

28.8

28.2

32.5

32.6

32.4

32.6

32.4

32.4

32.7

32.1

32.5

32.6

32.3

32.4

32.3

32.4

SERVICES .........................................................

32.4

» = preliminary
NOTE: See “Notes on the data” for a description of the most recent benchmark adjustment.

14. Average hourly earnings of production or nonsupervisory workers on private nonfarm payrolls by industry,
seasonally adjusted

Industry

Annual
average
1991

1992

1992
Mar.

Apr.

June

May

July

Aug.

1993
Sept.

Oct.

Nov.

Dec.

Jan.

Feb.» Mar.»

PRIVATE SECTOR (in current dollars)............. $10.33 $10.59 $10.55 $10.52 $10.56 $10.58 $10.58 $10.66 $10.63 $10.65 $10.71 $10.69 $10.73 $10.75 $10.80
14.18
13.99
11.18
10.71
13.24

14.51
14.11
11.45
10.94
13.49

14.50
14.06
11.37
10.87
13.41

14.46
14.03
11.42
10.93
13.43

14.49
14.09
11.44
10.92
13.44

14.52
14.20
11.44
10.93
13.47

14.50
14.11
11.45
10.95
13.43

14.55
14.21
11.51
11.00
13.53

14.54
14.07
11.51
11.03
13.56

14.59
14.15
11.51
10.98
13.56

14.67
14.20
11.54
11.02
13.65

14.46
14.16
11.57
11.04
13.57

14.54
14.12
11.60
11.09
13.58

14.49
14.14
11.63
11.08
13.56

14.61
14.22
11.64
11.10
13.71

Wholesale trade................................................. 11.15
Retail trade........................................................ 6.95
Finance, insurance, and real estate ................... 10.40
Services.............................................................. 10.22

11.40
7.14
10.82
10.54

11.35
7.12
10.78
10.50

11.29
7.09
10.68
10.46

11.37
7.12
10.76
10.49

11.38
7.11
10.76
10.53

11.38
7.14
10.76
10.53

11.51
7.16
10.96
10.61

11.44
7.18
10.84
10.59

11.48
7.18
10.92
10.61

11.53
7.19
11.09
10.68

11.47
7.20
11.00
10.66

11.59
7.22
11.10
10.73

11.59
7.24
11.11
10.74

11.61
7.26
11.16
10.77

7.45

7.43

7.46

7.41

7.43

7.43

7.41

7.45

7.42

7.40

7.43

7.40

7.40

7.39

Mining................................................................
Construction ......................................................
Manufacturing ...................................................
Excluding overtime .........................................
Transportation and public utilities ......................

PRIVATE SECTOR (in constant (1982) dollars)
- Data not available.
p = preliminary


https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

-

NOTE: See “Notes on the data” for a description of the most recent
benchmark revision.

Monthly Labor Review M ay 1993

91

Current Labor Statistics: Employment Data
15. Average hourly earnings of production or nonsupervisory workers on private nonfarm payrolls by
industry
Annual
ave rage

Industry

1991

1992

1992
Mar.

Apr.

May

June

July

Aug.

1993
Sept.

Oct.

Nov.

Dec.

Jan.

Feb.p Mar.p

PRIVATE SECTOR............................................. $10.33 $10.59 $10.54 $10.54 $10.55 $10.53 $10.53 $10.56 $10.66 $10.69 $10.73 $10.71 $10.78 $10.78 $10.81
MINING............................................................... 14.18 14.51 14.54 14.52 14.45 14.51 14.47 14.45 14.57 14.44 14.58 14.55 14.69 14.58 14.67
CONSTRUCTION................................................ 13.99

14.11

14.03

14.02

14.05

14.09

14.05

14.20

14.18

14.25

14.20

MANUFACTURING............................................. 11.18

11.45

11.36

11.41

11.44

11.45

11.46

11.44

11.53

11.49

Durable goods ..................................................
Lumber and wood products..............................
Furniture and fixtures........................................
Stone, clay, and glass products........................
Primary metal industries ...................................
Blast furnaces and basic steel products.........
Fabricated metal products ................................

11.75
9.24
8.76
11.37
13.34
15.37
11.19

12.02
9.43
9.00
11.64
13.67
15.89
11.41

11.92
9.34
8.89
11.49
13.48
15.61
11.34

11.95
9.35
8.91
11.60
13.64
15.88
11.40

12.02
9.40
8.95
11.65
13.65
15.77
11.43

12.04
9.41
8.99
11.66
13.69
15.89
11.43

12.03
9.46
9.00
11.68
13.77
15.97
11.39

12.04
9.49
9.04
11.68
13.74
15.97
11.41

12.09
9.48
9.09
11.83
13.93
16.31
11.43

12.07
9.52
9.10
11.74
13.73
15.98
11.42

Industrial machinery and equipment..................
Electronic and other electrical equipment .........
Transportation equipment..................................
Motor vehicles and equipment........................
Instruments and related products .....................
Miscellaneous manufacturing............................

12.16
10.71
14.74
15.19
11.65
8.85

12.43
11.01
15.16
15.33
11.93
9.14

12.33
10.92
14.99
15.21
11.84
9.11

12.30
10.98
14.97
15.20
11.88
9.13

12.38
10.99
15.17
15.48
11.86
9.10

12.44
11.06
15.18
15.44
11.90
9.12

12.49
11.05
15.12
15.28
11.93
9.11

12.45
11.03
15.21
15.37
11.93
9.08

12.49
11.05
15.27
15.39
12.03
9.13

Nondurable g o o d s............................................ 10.44
Food and kindred products............................... 9.90
Tobacco products............................................. 16.68
Textile mill products......................................... 8.30
Apparel and other textile products.................... 6.77
Paper and allied products ................................. 12.73

10.71
10.19
16.69
8.60
6.95
13.09

10.63
10.13
16.76
8.51
6.87
12.95

10.71
10.20
17.25
8.56
6.98
13.02

10.69
10.23
17.52
8.58
6.96
13.05

10.69
10.21
18.13
8.60
6.97
13.03

10.73
10.18
18.38
8.60
6.94
13.13

10.70
10.13
16.20
8.62
6.96
13.07

11.49
14.02
17.03
10.07
7.18

11.75
14.45
17.87
10.37
7.40

11.68
14.26
17.96
10.27
7.44

11.64
14.39
17.92
10.33
7.47

11.66
14.39
17.78
10.33
7.41

11.67
14.38
17.62
10.36
7.41

11.76
14.49
17.70
10.39
7.28

TRANSPORTATION AND PUBLIC UTILITIES... 13.24

13.49

13.38

13.43

13.39

13.40

WHOLESALE TRADE........................................ 11.15

11.40

11.34

11.34

11.35

6.95

7.14

7.11

7.12

FINANCE, INSURANCE, AND REAL ESTATE... 10.40

10.82

10.80

SERVICES ......................................................... 10.22

10.54

10.53

Printing and publishing......................................
Chemicals and allied products..........................
Petroleum and coal products............................
Rubber and miscellaneous plastics products....
Leather and leather products ...........................

RETAIL TRADE .................................................

14.23

14.16

14.07

11.54

11.63

11.61

11.60

11.63

12.12
9.49
9.08
11.71
13.76
16.03
11.47

12.22
9.50
9.18
11.68
13.82
16.11
11.59

12.19
9.45
9.14
11.67
13.76
15.99
11.53

12.19
9.51
9.12
11.70
13.81
16.23
11.53

12.20
9 48
9 09
11 73
13 79
16 18
11.54

12.51
11.04
15.28
15.38
12.04
9.19

12.57
11.06
15.36
15.40
12.10
9.23

12.66
11.14
15.50
15.61
12.16
9.32

12.61
11.14
15.43
15.52
12.13
9.33

12.61
11.10
15.46
15.55
12.12
9.32

12 58
11 12
15 56
15 7?
12 16
9.30

10.82
10.22
16.02
8.68
7.00
13.35

10.74
10.12
15.73
8.66
6.98
13.16

10.81
10.30
17.33
8.70
6.97
13.20

10.87
10.36
16.00
8.77
7.04
13.29

10.86
10.30
15.55
8.80
7.05
13.18

10.85
10.29
16.20
8.82
7.04
13.20

10 88
10 30
16 85
8 75
7 06
13.24

11.79
14.47
17.72
10.38
7.36

11.93
14.64
17.93
10.46
7.35

11.87
14.57
18.05
10.44
7.36

11.85
14.64
18.21
10.45
7.42

11.89
14.72
18.06
10.54
7.48

11.85
14.69
18.34
10.55
7.46

11.83
14.68
18.37
10.56
7.46

11 90
14.68
18 73
10 52
7.46

13.43

13.50

13.61

13.59

13.65

13.60

13.61

13.61

13.68

11.33

11.38

11.43

11.46

11.46

11.53

11.53

11.61

11.62

11.61

7.12

7.10

7.10

7.10

7.21

7.19

7.21

7.19

7.26

7.25

7.27

10.75

10.76

10.70

10.73

10.84

10.84

10.91

11.06

11.04

11.14

11.20

11.20

10.50

10.47

10.42

10.41

10.45 J 10.61

10.63 J 10.72

10.75

10.81

10.82

10.81

= preliminary
NOTE: See “Notes on the data” for a description of the most recent benchmark revision.

p

92 Monthly Labor Review M ay 1993

https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

14.19

16.

Average weekly earnings of production or nonsupervisory workers on private nonfarm payrolls by industry
1992

Annual average
Industry
1991

1992

Mar.

Apr.

May

June

July

Aug.

1993
Sept.

Oct.

Nov.

Dec.

Jan.

Feb.p

Mar.p

PRIVATE SECTOR
Current dollars................................................ $354.32 $364.30 $361.52 $360.47 $362.92 $364.34 $364.34 $369.60 $365.64 $368.81 $371.26 $369.50 $366.52 $368.68 $368.62
363.98 360.84 365.38 362.89 362.89 368.84 364.61 367.43 370.57 366.67 370.19 369.80 370.44
Seasonally adjusted.....................................
Constant (1982) dollars ................................. 255.64 255.47 255.67 254.39 255.58 255.68 255.14 258.10 254.62 255.94 257.28 256.06 253.12 253.91
MINING...............................................................

629.59 638.44 636.85 633.07 634.36 635.54 625.10 643.03 641.08 641.14 651.73 646.02 647.83 637.15 632.28

CONSTRUCTION................................................

533.02 536.18 523.32 535.56 546.55 548.10 546.55 553.80 526.08 555.75 532.50 529.36 511.18 516.37 533.54

MANUFACTURING
Current dollars.................................................
Constant (1982) dollars...................................

455.03 469.45 464.62 460.96 470.18 471.74 466.42 470.18 472.73 474.54 480.06 487.30 477.17 476.76 475.67
328.30 329.21 328.59 325.31 331.11 331.05 326.62 328.34 329.20 329.31 332.68 337.70 329.54 328.35
-

Durable goods ..................................................
Lumber and wood products..............................
Furniture and fixtures........................................
Stone, clay, and glass products........................
Primary metal industries ...................................
Blast furnaces and basic steel products.........
Fabricated metal products ................................

482.93
369.60
340.76
474.13
562.95
656.30
461.03

493.49
379.20
351.16
475.69
575.60
671.23
468.34

489.95
377.74
347.49
488.36
581.06
687.60
465.12

501.23
385.40
354.42
497.46
591.05
690.73
477.77

503.27
383.93
358.70
499.05
595.52
700.75
478.92

495.64
384.08
357.30
498.74
593.49
702.68
470.41

499.66
389.09
360.70
501.07
590.82
701.08
474.66

496.90
382.04
358.15
508.69
601.78
724.16
468.63

504.53
389.37
364.91
505.99
589.02
687.14
479.64

510.25
386.24
364.11
498.85
595.81
695.70
484.03

520.57
387.60
377.30
491.73
605.32
708.84
494.89

508.32
376.11
363.77
478.47
599.94
701.96
480.80

508.32
382.30
360.24
484.38
600.74
712.50
480.80

508.74
379.20
359.06
487.97
595.73
708.68
480.06

Industrial machinery and equipment.................. 507.07 524.55 520.33
Electronic and other electrical equipment ......... 435.90 453.61 448.81
Transportation equipment.................................. 617.61 633.69 625.08
Motor vehicles and equipment........................ 642.54 649.99 638.82
Instruments and related products ..................... 477.65 490.32 487.81
Miscellaneous manufacturing............................ 350.46 364.69 363.49

511.68
444.69
615.27
629.28
482.33
359.72

523.67
452.79
641.69
673.38
486.26
362.18

526.21
456.78
643.63
673.18
491.47
364.80

520.83
448.63
621.43
640.23
481.97
358.02

521.66
452.23
637.30
656.30
487.94
362.29

518.34
450.84
626.07
637.15
490.82
359.72

531.68
457.06
641.76
655.19
496.05
372.20

540.51
465.63
646.66
652.96
504.57
375.66

553.24
475.68
666.50
680.60
511.94
376.53

540.97
464.54
649.60
662.70
500.97
367.60

539.71
461.76
653.96
673.32
496.92
368.14

538.42
459.26
659.74
685.39
502.21
369.21

425.19
404.94
655.50
343.26
250.58
561.16

430.81
412.27
669.26
354.35
258.91
567.68

432.95
411.46
716.14
359.48
261.38
569.41

430.27
409.24
700.28
350.88
256.78
568.53

434.42
416.34
633.42
356.87
260.30
567.24

441.46
424.13
619.97
360.22
256.90
591.41

437.12
416.94
605.61
356.79
263.15
575.09

442.13
426.42
656.81
361.05
264.16
579.48

446.76
427.87
633.60
365.71
266.11
588.75

438.74
415.09
600.23
363.44
262.97
573.33

436.17
411.60
602.64
362.50
262.59
570.24

435.20
410.97
608.29
346.50
261.93
568.00

Nondurable goods
Food and kindred products...............................
Tobacco products.............................................
Textile mill products.........................................
Apparel and other textile products....................
Paper and allied products.................................
Printing and publishing......................................
Chemicals and allied products..........................
Petroleum and coal products............................
Rubber and miscellaneous
plastics products............................................
Leather and leather products ...........................

419.69
401.94
652.19
336.98
250.49
551.21

498.83
382.86
357.30
491.21
587.81
691.22
474.66

432.68
413.71
644.23
353.46
258.54
570.72

427.33
405.20
655.32
347.21
255.56
559.44

433.17 447.68 446.18 436.50 439.58 439.96 443.35 451.56 460.50 454.62 456.23 460.14 449.12 449.54 454.58
601.46 622.80 614.61 620.21 620.21 621.22 618.72 619.32 635.38 622.14 633.91 643.26 631.67 628.30 628.30
751.02 782.71 788.44 779.52 791.21 768.23 768.18 769.05 785.33 808.64 817.63 792.83 808.79 806.44 848.47
413.88 432.43 426.21 426.63 432.83 436.16 427.03 431.81 435.14 435.35 438.90 446.90 443.10 443.52 436.58
269.25 281.20 276.77 274.90 282.32 287.51 280.28 281.89 277.10 283.36 290.12 292.47 290.94 291.69 288.70

TRANSPORTATION AND PUBLIC
UTILITIES.........................................................

512.39 523.41

WHOLESALE TRADE........................................

424.82 435.48 433.19 433.19 434.71

RETAIL TRADE .................................................

198.77 205.63 201.92 203.63 204.34 205.90 208.03 210.16 209.09 206.35 206.93 209.95 203.28 204.45 202.11

FINANCE, INSURANCE, AND REAL
ESTATE ............................................................

371.28 387.36 390.96 383.78 383.06 380.92 381.99 393.49 384.82 388.40 400.37 394.13 397.70 399.84 398.72

SERVICES .........................................................

331.13 342.55 342.23 339.15 339.23 338.65 340.41

511.12 513.03 518.19 521.26 526.46 533.25 532.15 530.01
432.81

539.18 533.12 529.43 532.15 537.62

434.72 440.06 436.63 437.77 442.75 440.45 440.02 440.40 438.86

344.85 341.64 344.41

349.47 347.23 347.00 349.49 349.16

- Data not available.
p = preliminary
NOTE: See “Notes on the data” for a description of the most recent benchmark revision.


https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

Monthly Labor Review May 1993

93

Current Labor Statistics:
17.

Employment Data

Diffusion indexes of employment change, seasonally adjusted

(In percent)
Time span
and year

Jan.

Feb.

Mar.

Apr.

May

June

July

Aug.

Sept.

Oct.

Nov.

Dec.

Private nonfarm payrolls, 356 industries

Over 1-month span:
1991
...........................................................
1992 ................................................................
1993
........................................................

37.9
43.5
55.1

37.6
47.9
61.1

36.1
47.5
48.6

41.3
58.4
_

50.7
51.4
_

45.1
45.2
_

48.7
49.6
_

51.4
42.6
_

50.0
49.9

47.1
50.1

46.8
49.7

46.9
53.7

Over 3-month span:
1991
........................................................
1992
............................................................
1993
.............................................................

31.3
44.8
63.2

28.7
44.1
58.1

31.7
53.2
_

38.3
54.9
_

41.0
54.4
_

45.6
47.6
_

48.0
41.6
_

51.4
44.4
_

48.5
44.1

46.3
48.2

44.4
51.8

42.7
55.2

Over 6-month span:
1991
.............................................................
1992 .................................................................
1993 ..............................................................

27.9
47.8
_

29.2
50.6
_

28.2
49.7
_

33.0
51.1
_

38.9
47.3
_

44.0
49.3
_

47.2
42.8
_

46.3
42.0
_

46.9
46.2
_

46.1
47.6

44.0
56.6

43.4
56.3

Over 12-month span:
1991 .................................................................
1992
..........................................................
1993 ................................................................

27.4
49.2

28.5
44.1
_

28.1
45.2

29.9
43.8

32.2
44.9

33.4
45.6

35.7
47.6

39.0
54.1

42.8
51.4

46.3

47.6

47.8

_

_

_

_

_

_

_

Manufacturing payrolls, 139 industries
Over 1-month span:
1991
........................................................
1992
.............................................................
1993
.......................................................

35.6
39.6
52.2

33.5
43.9
57.6

30.6
43.2
48.6

40.6
57.6
_

46.0
46.4
_

43.9
42.4
_

49.6
51.4
_

50.7
36.7
_

42.8
45.7

46.4
39.2

45.3
51.1

46.0
48.9

Over 3-month span:
1991
.......................................................
1992
............................................................
1993 ...............................................................

23.4
37.8
57.6

21.6
36.3
57.6

21.6
48.9
_

32.4
49.3
_

36.3
50.4
_

43.5
46.4
_

52.2
35.6
_

49.6
36.7
_

46.4
31.7

42.4
40.6

42.1
43.2

37.4
52.2

Over 6-month span:
1991 ................................................................
1992 .................................................................
1993 .................................................................

17.3
41.4

20.5
43.2

21.9
41.4

25.9
47.8

34.9
41.7

40.6
42.4

45.3
29.9

44.6
30.9

45.3
33.1

39.9
35.3

36.0
48.6

36.0
51.4

Over 12-month span:
1991 ..............................................................
1992 ................................................................
1993
......................................................

17.6
42.8
_

19.4
32.4
_

18.0
34.9
_

19.4
30.6
_

24.1
32.4
_

25.2
33.8
_

25.9
35.3
_

28.8
43.5
_

37.4
43.9
_

40.6

41.4

38.1

- Data not available.
NOTE: Figures are the percent of industries with employment increasing plus
one-half of the industries with unchanged employment, where 50 percent
indicates an equal balance between industries with increasing and decreasing

94 Monthly Labor Review May 1993

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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

employment. Data for the 2 most recent months shown in each span are
preliminary. See the “Definitions” in this section. See “Notes on the data” for a
description of the most recent benchmark revision.

18.

Annual data: Employment status of the population

(Numbers in thousands)

19.

Employment status

1984

1985

1986

1987

1988

1989

1990

1991

1992

Civilian noninstitutional population.......................
Civilian labor force............................................
Labor force participation
rate.................................... ..........................

176,383
113,544

178,206
115,461

180,587
117,834

182,753
119,865

184,613
121,669

186,393
123,869

188,049
124,787

189,765
125,303

191,576
126,982

64.4

64.8

65.3

65.6

65.9

66.5

66.4

66.0

66.3

112,440
61.5
3,208
109,232

114,968
62.3
3,169
111,800

117,342
63.0
3,199
114,142

117,914
62.7
3,186
114,728

116,877
61.6
3,233
113,644

117,598
61.4
3,207
114,391

7,425

6,701
5.5
62,944

6,528
5.3
62,523

6,874
5.5
63,262

8,426
6.7
64,462

9,384
7.4
64,593

1988

1989

1990

Employed ....................................................
Employment-population ratio.....................
Agriculture.............................................
Nonagricultural industries.......................

105,005
59.5
3,321
101,685

107,150
60.1
3,179
103,971

109,597
60.7
3,163
106,434

Unemployed ...............................................
Unemployment ra te ..................................
Not in labor force.............................................

8,539
7.5
62,839

8,312
7.2
62,744

8,237
7.0
62,752

6.2

62,888

Annual data: Employment levels by industry

(In thousands)
1985

1986

1987

Total employment................................................................. 94,496
Private sector..................................................................... 78,472
Goods-producing............................................................. 24,727
966
Mining........................................................................
4,383
Construction ...............................................................
Manufacturing............................................................. 19,378

97,519
81,125
24,859
927
4,673
19,260

99,525
82,832
24,558
777
4,816
18,965

102,200

Service-producing............................................................
Transportation and public utilities.................................
Wholesale trade ..........................................................
Retail trade .................................................................
Finance, insurance, and real estate.............................
Services.......................................................................

69,769
5,159
5,574
16,526
5,689
20,797

72,660
5,238
5,736
17,336
5,955
21,999

74,967
5,255
5,774
17,909
6,283
23,053

77,492
5,372
5,865
18,462
6,547
24,235

80,363
5,527
6,055
19,077
6,649
25,669

83,007
5,644

84,822
5,808

6,221

6,200

19,549
6,695
27,120

Government................................................................
Federal..................................................................
State ......................................................................
Local .....................................................................

16,024
2,807
3,734
9,482

16,394
2,875
3,832
9,687

16,693
2,899
3,893
9,901

17,010
2,943
3,967

17,386
2,971
4,076
10,339

17,779
2,988
4,182
10,609

Industry

1984

85,190
24,708
717
4,967
19,024

10,100

1991

1992

105,536 108,329 109,782 108,310 108,437
88,150 90,550 91,478 89,930 89,858
25,173 25,322 24,960 23,830 23,420
713
693
710
691
635
5,187
5,110
5,133
4,685
4,595
19,350 19,442 19,117 18,455 18,190

19,677
6,729
28,103

84,480
5,772
6,069
19,259
6,678
28,323

85,017
5,742
5,983
19,138
6,672
28,903

18,304
3,085
4,305
10,914

18,380
2,966
4,346
11,067

18,579
2,969
4,371
11,239

NOTE: See “Notes on the data” for a description of the most recent benchmark revision.


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Monthly Labor Review M ay 1993

95

Current Labor Statistics: Employment Data
20. Annual data: Average hours and earnings of production or nonsupervisory workers on nonfarm
payrolls, by industry
Industry

1984

1985

1986

1987

1988

1989

1990

35.2
8.32
292.86

34.9
8.57
299.09

34.8
8.76
304.85

34.8
8.98
312.50

34.7
9.28
322.02

34.6
9.66
334.24

Mining:
Average weekly hours .........................................
Average hourly earnings (in dollars) ........................
Average weekly earnings (in dollars)..........................

43.3
11.63
503.58

43.4
11.98
519.93

42.2
12.46
525.81

42.4
12.54
531.70

42.3
12.80
541.44

Construction:
Average weekly hours ................................................
Average hourly earnings (in dollars) ........................
Average weekly earnings (in dollars).............................

37.8
12.13
458.51

37.7
12.32
464.46

37.4
12.48
466.75

37.8
12.71
480.44

Manufacturing:
Average weekly hours ..............................................
Average hourly earnings (in dollars) .............................
Average weekly earnings (in dollars)........................

40.7
9.19
374.03

40.5
9.54
386.37

40.7
9.73
396.01

39.4

39.5
11.40
450.30

Private sector:
Average weekly hours.................................................
Average hourly earnings (In dollars)..................................
Average weekly earnings (in dollars) ..............................

1991

1992

345.35

34 3
10 33
354.32

364.30

43.0
13.26
570.18

44.1
13.68
603.29

44 4
14.18
629.59

638.44

37.9
13.08
495.73

37.9
13.54
513.17

38.2
13.77
526.01

38 1
13 99
533.02

536.18

41.0
9.91
406.31

41.1
10.19
418.81

41.0
10.48
429.68

40.8
10.83
441.86

40 7
11.18
455.03

11 45
469.45

39.2
11.70
458.64

39.2
12.03
471.58

38.8
12.26
475.69

38.9
12.60
490.14

38.9
12.97
504.53

38 7
13.24
512.39

13 49
523.41

34.5
10.01

Transportation and public utilities:
Average weekly hours .................................................
Average hourly earnings (in dollars) ..............................
Average weekly earnings (in dollars)....................

438.13

Wholesale trade:
Average weekly hours ...................................
Average hourly earnings (in dollars) ..............................
Average weekly earnings (in dollars).............................

341.78

38.4
9.15
351.08

38.3
9.34
357.57

38.1
9.59
365.38

38.1
9.98
380.24

38.0
10.39
394.82

38.1
10.79
411.10

38 1
11.15
424.82

11 40
435.48

Retail trade:
Average weekly hours .............................................
Average hourly earnings (in dollars) ..........................
Average weekly earnings (in dollars).............................

29.8
5.85
174.47

29.4
5.94
174.81

29.2
6.03
175.80

29.2
178.70

29.1
6.31
183.62

28.9
6.53
188.72

28.8
6.75
194.40

28 6
95
198.77

205.63

Finance, insurance, and real estate:
Average weekly hours .............................................
Average hourly earnings (in dollars) ..............................
Average weekly earnings (in dollars).............................

36.5
7.63
278.04

36.4
7.94
289.20

36.4
8.36
304.49

36.3
8.73
316.90

35.9
9.06
325.25

35.8
9.53
341.17

35.8
9.97
356.93

35 7
10.40
371.28

35 R
10 fi?
387.36

Services:
Average weekly hours .........................................
Average hourly earnings (in dollars) ..............................
Average weekly earnings (in dollars).............................

32.6
7.59
247.25

32.5
7.90
256.49

32.5
8.18
265.93

32.5
8.49
275.93

32.6

32.6
9.38
305.79

32.5
9.83
319.48

10.22

96 Monthly Labor Review May 1993

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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

11.12

38.5
8.88

6.12

8.88

289.49

6

32 4
331.13

3? 5
10 54
342.55

21.

Employment Cost Index, compensation,1 by occupation and industry group

(June 1989=100)

Series

Dec.

1992

1991

1990

June

Mar.

Sept.

Dec.

Mar.

June

Percent change

Sept.

Dec.

3
months
ended

12

months
ended

Dec. 1992
Civilian workers 2 ................................................

107.6

Workers, by occupational group:
White-collar workers.................................
Professional specialty and technical.......
Executive, administrative, and managerial
Administrative support, including clerical .
Blue-collar workers...................................
Service occupations..................................

108.3
109.8
107.7
107.8
106.5
108.0

109.1

110.2

111.5

112.2

113.5

114.2

115.4

116.1

113.9
115.4
113.0
113.9

115.8
118.2
114.3
115.9
114.4
116.2

116.6
119.1
115.0
116.8
115.2
116.7

120.2

116.2
116.5
116.2
119.2
121.3

111.4
110.3
112.3

112.2
111.1

113.1

114.1

111.0
111.2
111.8

111.9

113.5
114.0
113.5
115.5
117.5
117.3
115.7
114.0
113.3

114.3
114.7
114.2
116.3
118.4
118.1
116.1
114.6
114.1

115.3
115.7
115.4
118.2
119.8
118.9
115.8
115.3

121.0

1.0

119.7
116.3
116.0

.7
.4
.6

3.8
3.8
3.4
4.0
4.5
4.4
3.7
3.3
3.3

113.1
113.3

113.9
114.1

114.8
115.1

115.6
115.9

.7
.7

3.5
3.5

.7
.7
.8

3.3
3.5
4.5

110.8

112.1

112.8

111.7

113.5

114.4
112.5

110.6
110.2

109.2
110.4

111.8

112.6

.7

3.5

114.6
116.2
113.4
114.6
113.5
114.7

109.8
111.0

109.4
109.2
108.0
109.4

0.6

.8
.6
.8

.7
.4

3.4
4.1
2.2

4.1
3.7
3.2

Workers, by industry division:
Goods-producing........................................
Manufacturing ..........................................
Service-producing......................................
Services..................................................
Health services.....................................
Hospitals............................................
Educational services.............................
Public administration 3 .............................
Nonmanufacturing......................................

110.9
110.9
111.4
108.7
107.8

112.3
109.4

113.2
112.9
112.4
110.9
110.3

Private industry workers............................................
Excluding sales occupations........................................

107.0
107.1

108.5
108.6

109.8
109.8

107.4
107.7
108.7
107.2
106.0

109.0
109.2

110.3
110.4

111.4

112.2

110.1

111.1

111.8
112.8

108.9
108.0

110.3
109.8

111.5
109.8

112.7
113.9
112.3
109.6

113.4
113.8
115.3
112.7

114.2
114.6
116.4
113.1

115.1
115.8
118.0
113.9

115.9
116.6
119.0
114.5

111.6

112.2

111.8

112.6

.5
.7

2.7

107.3

108.6

109.9

111.0

111.9

113.6

114.4

115.5

116.4

.8

4.0

Blue-collar workers......................................................
Precision production, craft, and repair occupations....
Machine operators, assemblers, and inspectors.........
Transportation and material moving occupations........
Handlers, equipment cleaners, helpers, and laborers ..

106.4
106.2
106.9
105.5
106.7

107.9
108.0
108.3
106.3
108.1

109.0
109.2
109.4
107.6
109.3

110.2

111.0
111.0
111.6

112.5

114.3
114.3
115.0
112.5
114.6

115.0
115.0
115.8
113.0
115.3

.6
.6

112.6

113.4
113.1
114.6
111.4
113.4

.6

3.6
3.6
3.8
3.7
3.5

Service occupations............ .......................

107.3

108.3

109.9

111.5

112.4

113.5

114.2

115.4

115.9

.4

3.1

Production and nonsupervisory occupations4

106.9

108.4

109.6

110.8

111.5

113.0

113.8

114.8

115.5

.6

3.6

Workers, by industry division:
Goods-producing..........................................
Excluding sales occupations.................
White-collar occupations.........................
Excluding sales occupations..................
Blue-collar occupations...........................
Service occupations................................
Construction ...............................................
Manufacturing.............................................
White-collar occupations........................
Excluding sales occupations................
Blue-collar occupations..........................
Service occupations ..............................
Durables ...................................................
Nondurables..............................................

107.0
107.0
107.4
107.1
106.9
106.4
105.6
107.2
107.4
107.0
107.2
106.3
107.2
107.4

108.5
108.4
108.8
108.5
108.4
107.9
107.4
108.6
108.8
108.3
108.5
107.8
108.5
108.8

109.8
109.8

111.0

111.9
111.8
112.2
111.6
112.1

113.5
113.4
113.6
113.2
113.4
113.8

114.3
114.1
114.5
113.9
114.1
115.5
111.7
114.7
114.6
113.8
114.8
115.4
114.8
114.7

115.3
115.2
115.5
115.1
115.1
116.9
113.1
115.7
115.5
115.0
115.7
117.0
115.8
115.4

116.1
115.9
116.7
116.2
115.8
117.5
113.8
116.5
116.6
115.9
116.4
117.6
116.7
116.3

.7

110.9

3.8
3.7
3.9
3.6
3.8
4.8
3.5
3.8
3.7
3.3
3.9
4.9
4.1
3.6

Service-producing........................................
Excluding sales occupations................
White-collar occupations..........................
Excluding sales occupations..................
Blue-collar occupations............................
Service occupations.................................
Transportation and public utilities................
Transportation...........................................
Public utilities............................................
Communications.....................................
Electric, gas, and sanitary services .........
Wholesale and retail trade.........................
Excluding sales occupations.................
Wholesale trade.......................................
Excluding sales occupations................
Retail trade............... ..............................
Food stores.........................................
General merchandise stores................

107.0
107.3
107.4
108.0
105.4
107.4
105.1
104.6
105.7
105.2
106.2
106.2
106.1
106.5
106.2
106.0
106.4
106.9

108.5
108.7
109.1
109.5
106.6
108.4
106.0
105.2
107.0
106.0
108.3
107.4
107.7
107.8
108.2
107.3
107.5
108.3

113.6
114.0
114.1
114.9

114.4
115.1
114.9
116.1
112.4.
115.2
112.9
111.7
114.4
113.4
115.9
113.0
113.5
113.2
114.1
112.9
114.2
113.3

115.2
115.9
115.7
116.8
113.2
115.7
113.5

.7
.7
.7

111.8

.1
1.0
1.1

Workers, by occupational group:
White-collar workers....................................................
Excluding sales occupations....................................
Professional specialty and technical occupations.......
Executive, administrative, and managerial occupations
Sales occupations......................................................
Administrative support occupations, including
clerical.....................................................................

107.1
107.2
108.0
110.2

109.9

108.6
108.6
109.5
111.5

110.0

110.4
112.0

112.6
112.2
110.8

110.1
110.0

109.7
109.3
108.5
110.0
110.2

109.9
109.8
109.2
109.9
!

113.8
115.0
114.7
114.9

112.4
114.6
116.1
115.9
115.4

112.2

112.6

111.7

112.3

111.0
111.1

112.0

110.5
110.5
108.3
110.4

111.2
111.1
110.8

110.5
109.3

112.3

113.9
110.4

110.6

112.2

111.3

112.4

111.1
111.1

112.2
112.0
112.1
112.1

114.0
113.6
113.0
114.2
113.9
114.1
113.8

110.3

109.8
109.9
110.4

111.3
111.5

110.1

109.0
111.4

112.2

109.9

110.1

107.6
109.9
107.7
106.8
108.8
108.0
109.8
109.2
109.1
109.6
109.6
109.0
109.3

111.7

111.2

111.2
111.2

110.6

112.2

111.0

112.1

108.7
111.6

109.0
107.8
110.4
109.9

112.3
111.6
112.1
112.1

113.0
109.4
112.5
109.7
108.6
111.2

110.7
111.7
110.7

112.8

113.2
113.4
114.1
110.4
113.4
111.1

109.9
112.6
111.8

110.8
111.1
111.2

113.7
111.4
111.5
112.5
112.5

110.3

110.5
111.7

110.8
112.6

111.2

111.1

111.7

111.0

110.3
110.1

110.7
110.3
110.1

111.6

114.1
111.9
110.5
113.7
112.7
115.0
112.5
112.7
113.5
113.5
112.1

113.6
112.9

115.6
114.7
116.7
113.7
114.1
114.4
114.9
113.4
115.1
113.3

.8

.7
.7
.8

.9

.7
.4

.6
1.0
1.0
.6

.5
.6

.7
1.0
.8
.6

.5
.8
.8

.6

.7
.4
.5

.7
.6

.5
1.1

.7
.4
.8
.0

2.0

3.2
3.4
3.2
3.4
3.5
2.8

3.5
2.9
4.0
3.6
4.5
2.7
3.0
3.0
3.3
2.6

3.0
2.0

See footnotes at end of table.


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

Monthly Labor Review M ay 1993

97

Current Labor Statistics:

Compensation & Industrial Relations

21. Continued— Employment Cost Index, compensation,1 by occupation and industry group
(June 1989=100)
1990

1i)91

1992

Percent change

Series
Dec.

Mar.

June

Sept.

105.5
106.7

108.3
108.6

109.5
109.5

105.8
106.0
109.3
107.4

107.4
107.4

107.0
109.5
111.5
110.4
113.5
113.2
111.5

Dec.

Mar.

June

109.7

110.0

110.6

111.4

111.7
112.5

110.8
112.2

112.5

107.5
109.5
113.1

107.4
110.7
114.0

110.2

110.0

111.0

113.2
115.3
112.5
117.9
117.7
115.8
116.8

114.7
116.4
113.6
118.9
118.5
116.3
117.4

114.9
117.8
115.2
119.3
120.3

113.5
114.1
114.9

114.4
114.9
116.0

111.8

112.8

114.1

Sept.

Dec.

3
months
ended

12

months
ended

Dec. 1992
Finance, insurance, and real estate...............................
Excluding sales occupations ....................................
Banking, savings and loan, and other
credit agencies.........................................................
Insurance ...................................................................
Services ........................................................................
Business services.......................................................
Health services ..........................................................
Hospitals .................................................................
Educational services ...................................................
Colleges and universities..........................................

110.6

111.9
111.3

Nonmanufacturing .........................................................
White-collar occupations...........................................
Excluding sales occupations..................................
Blue-collar occupations............................................
Service occupations .................................................

106.9
107.4
108.0
105.6
107.4

108.5
109.1
109.5
107.2
108.4

State and local government workers ...........................

110.4

111.8

Workers, by occupational group:
White-collar workers......................................................
Professional specialty and technical...........................
Executive, administrative, and managerial ...................
Administrative support, including clerical.....................
Blue-collar workers........................................................
Workers, by industry division:
Services ........................................................................
Services excluding schools5 ........................................
Health services.........................................................
Hospitals................................................................
Educational services.................................................
Schools.................................................................
Elementary and secondary ..................................
Colleges and universities.....................................
Public administration3 ....................................................

110.8

110.7
111.4

110.8

110.3
112.6
112.2

110.9

112.2

111.2
110.1
110.2

112.3
112.2
111.8

108.7

110.4

98 Monthly Labor Review May 1993

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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

111.1

112.0

115.3
114.9
114.9
115.5

116.5
116.1
115.7
116.3

109.7
110.4

110.9
111.5

111.5

110.6

112.1

108.2
109.9

109.2
111.7

112.9
109.8
112.5

112.7
113.4
114.1
110.7
113.4

112.0

113.9

114.4

115.2

112.3
112.4

114.2
114.5
113.3
113.5
112.4

114.6
115.0
113.7
114.0
112.9

114.8
113.7
113.9
114.1
114.9
115.2
115.7
113.4

115.3
114.4
114.9
115.2
115.3
115.6
116.2
113.5

112.2

112.6

112.0

111.7
110.9

111.3

112.4

112.6

110.2
111.1

112.2
112.6
112.2

111.7

111.4
111.4
111.6
112.1
110.2

112.4
112.5
112.9
111.3

108.7

110.8

Cost (cents per hour worked) measured in the Employment Cost Index
consists of wages, salaries, and employer cost of employee benefits.
2 Consist of private industry workers (excluding farm and household workers)
and State and local government (excluding Federal Government) workers.
1

110.0

112.2
112.1
112.6

112.9
113.0
112.5
110.9

112.1

111.1

120.6
120.2

111.3
113.0
111.4
115.2
118.9
115.9
121.8
121.6
120.0
120.8

0

P
.4

1.4

4
.3
9
.6
1.0
1.2
6

4.3
45

.4

3.9

115.2

115.1
115.7
116.9
113.4
115.7

5
.4

2.8

115.7

117.9

118.6

.6

3.7

115.4
115.5
115.0
115.4
114.2

115.8
116.0
115.2
115.7
115.3

118.1
118.5
116.8
117.5
116.9

118.9
119 2
117.8
118.5
117.8

.8

4.3

115.8
115.1
115.9
115.9
115.7
116.0
116.6
114.0
114.0

116.2
115.6
116.8
116.7
116.1
116.4
117.1
114.1
114.6

118.8
117.5
118.6
118.6
118.9
119.2
119.9
116.9
115.8

119.6
118.6
119.4
119.4
119.7
119.9
120.7
117.2
116.3

7
.9
.7
.7
.7

37
39
3 ft
3 ft

6

7
8

9

6

7
3
.4

3Q
3.3

3 Consist of legislative, judicial, administrative, and regulatory activities.
4 This series has the same industry and occupational coverage as the Hourly
Earnings Index, which was discontinued in January 1989.
5 Includes, for example, library, social, and health services.

22.

Employment Cost Index, wages and salaries, by occupation and industry group

(June 1989 = 100)
1991

1990
Series
Dec.

Mar.

June

1992

Sept.

Dec.

Mar.

June

Percent change

Sept.

Dec.

3
months
ended

12

months
ended

Dec. 1992
Civilian workers 1 ...........................................................

106.8

108.0

108.9

110.0

110.6

111.5

112.1

113.0

113.6

0.5

2.7

Workers, by occupational group:
White-collar workers ........................................................
Professional specialty and technical..............................
Executive, administrative, and managerial .....................
Administrative support, including clerical .......................
Blue-collar workers..........................................................
Service occupations.........................................................

107.4
108.8
107.2
106.7
105.4
106.8

108.7
109.9
108.5
107.9
106.6
107.8

109.6
110.4
109.6
108.8
107.4
108.9

110.8

111.3
113.0
111.5

112.2

112.8

114.4

113.7
116.0

2.9
3.3

112.2

112.8

110.6

111.8

112.5

110.6

108.9
111.3

109.8
111.9

112.4

113.4
111.3
113.4

114.5
116.7
113.5
114.2
111.9
113.8

.7

113.6
111.9

Workers, by industry division:
Goods-produclng...............................................................
Manufacturing ..................................................................
Service-producing .............................................................
Services........................................................................
Health services ..........................................................
Hospitals ..................................................................
Educational services ..................................................
Public administration 2 ..................................................
Nonmanufacturing...........................................................

105.8
106.2
107.2
109.2
109.7
109.8
110.4
107.3
106.9

107.0
107.4
108.4

108.0
108.4
109.3
110.7

108.8
109.3

109.7
110.3

110.7
111.5

110.6

111.0

111.8

111.1

112.4
113.4
113.1
113.6

109.1
108.1

109.5
109.0

110.6
110.2

113.0
114.5
114.3
114.0
110.9
110.7

113.7
115.4
115.2
114.1
111.9
111.5

Private industry workers...........................................
Excluding sales occupations.......................................

106.1
106.2

107.3
107.4

108.4
108.4

109.3
109.4

110.0
110.2

110.9

106.6
106.9
107.5

107.9
108.2
108.6

109.1
109.2
109.5

110.1

110.5

106.9
105.2

108.2
106.8

109.4
108.5

Workers, by occupational group:
White-collar workers...................................................
Excluding sales occupations...................................
Professional specialty and technical occupations.....
Executive, administrative, and managerial
occupations............................................................
Sales occupations....................................................
Administrative support occupations, including
clerical....................................................................

110.2
111.1
110.8
111.1

111.8

111.5

112.3
110.8

109.9
108.2

110.6

.6
.6

.7
.5
.4

1.8

3.3
2.8
2.2

111.4

112.2

112.2

112.0

112.9
113.3
115.9
117.7
117.1
116.9
113.1
113.0

111.6
111.8

112.5

112.9
113.2

.6
.6

2.6

111.1

110.7
111.3

111.7

112.3

112.0

113.0

114.0

.6
.6

2.8

111.1

113.7
114.4
116.0

2.7

112.8

112.9
113.7
115.3

.7

112.1

110.6

111.4
107.9

111.6

112.5
109.7

113.2
110.7

.6

109.7

112.0
110.1

.9

1.6
2.6

108.2

112.4
114.3
116.2
115.7
114.4
112.4

112.2

112.9
113.7
114.0
116.7
118.6
118.0
117.5
113.6
113.6

.6

.7
.6

.7
.8
.8

.5
.4
.5

2.9
3.1
2.7
3.3
3.6
3.2
3.1
2.4
2.6

2.7

3.6

106.4

107.6

108.6

109.6

110.4

111.6

112.4

113.2

114.0

.7

3.3

Blue-collar workers.....................................................
Precision production, craft, and repair
occupations...........................................................
Machine operators, assemblers, and inspectors.......
Transportation and material moving occupations......
Handlers, equipment cleaners, helpers, and
laborers..................................................................

105.2

106.4

107.3

108.0

108.8

109.7

110.4

111.1

111.6

.5

2.6

104.9
105.8
104.1

106.3
107.1
104.5

107.0
108.0
105.6

107.8
108.7
106.1

108.4
109.8
106.7

109.3
110.9
107.4

110.1
111.6

111.0

111.5
112.4
109.7

.5
.6

2.9
2.4

108.3

.4

2.8

106.2

107.3

108.5

109.2

109.9

110.6

111.3

112.1

112.6

.4

2.5

Service occupations...................................................

106.4

106.9

108.3

109.8

110.6

111.2

111.6

112.5

112.9

.4

2.1

111.7
109.3

Production and nonsupervisory occupations3 ..............

105.9

107.0

108.1

109.0

109.6

110.6

111.3

112.0

112.6

.5

2.7

Workers, by industry division:
Goods-producing.........................................................
Excluding sales occupations...................................
White-collar occupations ...........................................
Excluding sales occupations...................................
Blue-collar occupations .............................................
Service occupations..................................................

105.8
105.7
106.3
106.2
105.5
105.0

107.0
106.9
107.4
107.2
106.8
106.0

108.0
107.9
108.5
108.5
107.6
106.7

108.7
108.7
109.5
109.5
108.3
107.8

109.7
109.7
110.4
110.5
109.2
109.4

110.7
110.5
111.7
111.3

111.4

112.1
112.0

112.8
112.6

.6

2.8
2.6

110.1
110.1

110.7

113.2
112.9
111.4

111.0

112.2

114.2
113.7
111.9
113.1

.8

3.4
2.9
2.5
3.4

Construction ...............................................................

103.7

105.1

105.9

106.3

106.8

107.2

107.9

108.7

108.9

.2

2.0

Manufacturing.............................................................
White-collar occupations........................................
Excluding sales occupations................................
Blue-collar occupations .........................................
Service occupations...............................................
Durables..................................................................
Nondurables.............................................................

106.2
106.4
106.2
106.1
104.9
106.1
106.3

107.4
107.6
107.2
107.3
105.8
107.3
107.6

108.4
108.8
108.6
108.2
106.5
108.3
108.6

109.3
109.8
109.7
109.0
107.7
109.2
109.4

110.3
110.7
110.7

111.5
111.9
111.4

112.2

3.1
3.5
3.0

111.1
110.1
111.2
111.8

113.7
114.6
114.0
113.1
113.4
113.4
114.3

.7
.9
.9

110.0

112.9
113.6
113.0
112.4
112.3
112.7
113.2

.6
1.0
.6
1.0

3.8
2.9
3.3

Service-producing........................................................
Excluding sales occupations...................................
White-collar occupations...........................................
Excluding sales occupations.................................
Blue-collar occupations .............................................
Service occupations..................................................

106.3
106.6
106.8
107.2
104.7
106.5

107.5
107.7
108.1
108.5
105.6
107.0

108.7
108.7
109.3
109.5
106.5
108.4

109.7

110.2

111.1

111.7

110.0

110.7
110.7

111.5
111.7
112.4
108.7
111.3

112.2
112.2

112.3
113.0

113.0
113.7
113.6
114.7

.6
.6

2.5
2.7

.7

2.6
2.8

Transportation and public utilities.............................
Transportation........................................................
Public utilities..........................................................
Communications...................................................
Electric, gas, and sanitary services.......................

104.6
103.5
106.0
106.1
105.7

105.4
104.3
106.9
106.5
107.3

106.6
105.5
108.0
107.6
108.6

107.7
106.6
109.0
108.5
109.5

110.3
110.9
107.3
110.0

109.3
110.2
110.6

111.6

107.8
110.7
108.4
107.0
110.0

109.7
108.3
111.4

109.6
110.5

110.8
112.2

111.2

112.5
112.0

112.9
112.2

111.7
111.0
111.8
112.8

112.8

113.1
109.7
111.7

114.0
110.3

110.6

109.2
112.4
111.7
113.3

.5
.9
.7
.4

2.8

111.0

.6
.6

112.9

.3

2.0

111.2

111.8

.5

109.8
113.0

109.9
114.1
113.5
114.8

.1
1.0
1.2

3.1
2.7
3.7
3.6
3.9

112.6

112.2

114.2

.5

3.0

See footnotes at end of table.


https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

Monthly Lahor Review M ay 1993

99

Current Labor Statistics:

Compensation & Industrial Relations

22.Continued— Employment Cost Index, wages and salaries, by occupation and industry group
(June 1989 = 100)
1990

1991

1992

Percent change

Series
Dec.

Mar.

June

Sept.

Dec.

Mar.

June

Sept.

Dec.

3
months
ended

12

months
ended

Dec. 1992
Wholesale and retail trade........................................
Excluding sales occupations................................
Wholesale trade ....................................................
Excluding sales occupations ..............................
Retail trade............................................................
Food stores.........................................................
General merchandise stores................................

105.6
105.5
106.2
105.9
105.3
105.8
106.5

106.6
106.8
107.3
107.9
106.2
106.9
107.8

Finance, insurance, and real estate..........................
Excluding sales occupations ..............................
Banking, savings and loan, and other
credit agencies....................................................
Insurance...............................................................

104.8
106.1

Services...................................................................
Business services...................................................
Health services .......................................................
Hospitals ..............................................................
Educational services ...............................................
Colleges and universities......................................

108.4
108.3
109.2
109.2
108.0
108.7

109.6
109.6
110.3
110.5
109.2
110.4

111.4
111.5
109.3
110.9

110.0

109.4
109.2
110.4
109.8
109.0
109.4
110.9

110.6

111.1

107.0
107.6

108.1
108.4

108.0
109.5

108.4
110.4

109.5

105.4
105.1

106.6
105.7

105.9
107.8

106.4
107.5

106.3
108.6

108.2

108.3
107.4
109.7
109.8

109.5
109.6

110.0

111.5
108.9
113.5
113.2
113.0
113.7

112.2
110.0

111.0

114.6
114.4
113.7
114.2

109.5
111.9

111.1
110.8

111.6

109.3

110.3
109.6

110.2

Nonmanufacturing.......................................................
White-collar occupations..........................................
Excluding sales occupations..................................
Blue-collar occupations............................................
Service occupations .................................................

106.1
106.7
107.2
104.3
106.5

107.3
108.0
108.5
105.5
107.1

108.4
109.2
109.4
106.3
108.4

State and local government workers.........................

109.4

110.6

109.9

110.2

109.7

113.7
111.8

.1

108.2
109.9

108.2
109.9

108.3

.1

110.2

.3

- .2

107.7
112.7

108.6
112.7

109.0
112.7

.4
.0

25
3.8

115.2
113.3
117.9
117.3
116.5
117.3

116.1
113.9
118.9
118.3
117.1
117.6

.8

35

115.6
115.4
113.4
114.2

114.0
111.7
116.3
115.9
113.6
114.5

110.6

111.2

113.2

110.6

111.8

?5
?9
24
20
1.1

.5

3.5

.8

38
34
3n
3.0

.9
5
.3

111.3

111.9

112.6

111.6

112.1

110.7
107.1

112.3
108.2
111.3

113.0
109.1
111.7

113.9
109.7

113.5
114.6

110.0

111.5
107.5
110.7

112.8

112.6

112.9

.5
.3

2.0

110.9

112.8

113.2

113.8

114.2

115.9

116.6

.6

3.0

113.1
113.8

113.5
114.2
112.3

114.0
114.5
113.3
112.7
112.5

114.3
114.8
113.5
112.9
113.7

116.2
117.0
114.7
114.1
115.0

116.9
117.6
115.5
114.9
115.6

5
.7
7
.5

2 ft
2R
3.6

114.4
114.8
114.9
114.5
114.3
114.3
114.9
112.3
111.9

114.7
115.2
115.7
115.2
114.6
114.6
115.3
112.3
112.4

116.9
116.4
116.7
116.5
116.9
117.0
117.9
114.1
113.1

117.5
117.4
117.4
117.1
117.6
117.5
118.5
114.3
113.6

5
.9

28

111.2

108.9
107.9
107.7

110.6

111.4

110.0

111.1

111.8
111.6

Workers, by industry division:
Services .....................................................................
Services excluding schools4 .....................................
Health services......................................................
Hospitals.............................................................
Educational services.................................................
Schools.................................................................
Elementary and secondary ..................................
Colleges and universities.....................................
Public administration 2 .................................................

110.3
109.6
109.7
109.8
110.5
110.5
110.9
109.2
107.3

111.3
111.4

111.5
111.4
111.7
111.3
111.5
111.5
111.7

113.7
113.5
113.0
112.9
113.8
113.7
114.3

114.1
114.2
114.0
114.1
114.1
114.0
114.7

111.0

112.0
110.6

112.0

109.5

1 Consists of private industry workers (excluding farm and household workers)
and State and local government (excluding Federal Government) workers.
2 Consists of legislative, judicial, administrative, and regulatory activities.

23.

112.3
111.7

07
4
1.4
7
.4
.7

110.7

111.7
110.7
109.7

109.1

113.5
114.1

110.6

111.5

111.2
111.6
110.2

112.3
112.6

109.8

111.0

110.7
111.3

111.5
112.1

111.9
113.3
111.3
112.9
111.7

109.3

110.6

111.1

111.2

111.4
112.5
112.7

110.2

Workers, by occupational group:
White-collar workers...................................................
Professional specialty and technical .........................
Executive, administrative, and managerial.................
Administrative support, including clerical...................
Blue-collar workers.....................................................

109.4
109.1

109.9
110.1

112.0

110.9

110.2

.6
6
.6

2 fi
28
2.5

3n

.6

3n
30
26
31

.6

.5
.6

4
5

33

2

.4

2.4

3 This series has the same industry and occupational coverage as the Hourly
Earnings Index, which was discontinued in January 1989
4 Includes, for example, library, social and health services

Employment Cost Index, benefits, private industry workers by occupation and industry group

(June 1989 = 100)
1990

1991

1992

Percent change

Series
Dec.

Mar.

June

Sept.

Dec.

Mar.

June

Sept.

Dec.

3
months
ended

12

months
ended

Dec. 1992
Private industry workers ...............................................

109.4

111.6

113.5

115.2

116.2

118.6

119.7

121.2

122.2

0.8

5.2

Workers, by occupational group:
White-collar workers ........................................................
Blue-collar workers..........................................................

109.7
109.0

112.1
111.0

113.8
112.8

115.3
114.9

116.4
115.7

118.4
118.7

119.4
119.7

121.0
121.2

122.0
122.2

.8
.8

48
5.6

Workers, by industry group:
Goods-producing.............................................................
Service-producing............................................................
Manufacturing .................................................................
Nonmanufacturing ...........................................................

109.9
109.0
109.5
109.3

111.9
111.4

113.9
113.0
113.3
113.5

115.8
114.6
115.3
115.1

116.7
115.7
116.1
116.2

119.7
117.7
119.3
118.2

120.6
120.1

122.3
120.4
121.5

123.4

118.8
119.4

.9
.7
.9

121.0

57
4.8
56
5.0

100 Monthly Labor Review May 1993

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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

111.2

111.9

121.2
122.6
122.0

.8

24.

Employment Cost Index, private nonfarm workers, by bargaining status, region, and area size

(June 1989=100)

Series

Dec.

Mar.

Sept.

June

Percent change

1992

1991

1990

Dec.

Mar.

June

Sept.

Dec.

3
months
ended

12

months
ended

Dec. 1992
COMPENSATION
Workers, by bargaining status1
Union ...........................................................
Goods-producing........................................
Service-producing.......................................
Manufacturing ............................................
Nonmanufacturing......................................

106.2
106.3
106.0
106.6
105.9

107.5
107.9
107.1
108.1
107.1

108.8
109.2
108.3
109.5
108.3

110.1

111.1

110.3
109.8
110.6

111.3
110.9
111.7

113.1
114.0
111.9
114.8

109.7

110.6

Nonunion......................................................
Goods-producing........................................
Service-producing.......................................
Manufacturing ............... .............................
Nonmanufacturing......................................

107.3
107.4
107.2
107.6
107.2

108.8
108.8
108.8
108.8
108.8

110.1
110.1
110.1
110.2
110.1

111.2

111.9

111.3

112.2
111.8

Workers, by region 1
Northeast......................................................
South ...........................................................
Midwest (formerly North Central)...................
West.............................................................

107.6
106.9
107.1
106.3

109.4
108.4
108.5
107.5

110.6

109.8
109.7
108.9

111.7
110.7

Workers, by area size 1
Metropolitan areas..................................
Other areas............................................

107.1
106.8

108.5
108.4

109.8
109.9

111.0

Workers, by bargaining status 1
Union ............................................................
Goods-producing........................................
Service-producing........................................
Manufacturing .............................................
Nonmanufacturing.......................................

105.1
105.0
105.2
105.5
104.8

106.2
106.2
106.1
106.7
105.8

Nonunion......................................................
Goods-producing........................................
Service-producing.......................................
Manufacturing............................................
Nonmanufacturing......................................

106.4
106.1
106.5
106.5
106.3

Workers, by region 1
Northeast......................................................
South ...........................................................
Midwest (formerly North Central)...................
West.............................................................
Workers, by area size1
Metropolitan areas.................................
Other areas...........................................

115.2
115.7
114.6
116.1
114.5

115.9
116.4
115.2
116.9
115.1

0.6
.6

111.8

114.0
114.6
113.2
115.2
113.1

113.1
113.3
113.0
113.6
112.9

113.8
114.1
113.7
114.5
113.5

114.7
115.1
114.4
115.5
114.3

115.5
116.0
115.2
116.4
115.1

.7

110.9

113.9
112.5
113.8
111.9

114.5
113.3
114.6
112.9

115.5
114.1
115.3
114.1

116.4
114.8
116.1
114.9

.7
.7

3.5
3.2
3.5
3.6

110.7

111.8
111.2

113.1
113.1

113.9
113.7

114.8
114.8

115.6
115.6

.7
.7

3.4
4.0

107.1
107.1
107.0
107.5
106.7

108.0
107.7
108.4
108.3
107.9

108.9
108.7
109.2
109.4
108.6

109.8
109.6

110.8
110.2

111.7

111.5
110.9
110.7

112.5
111.7
111.7

112.3
111.7
113.1
112.5

.5
.5
.5
.7
.4

3.1

110.1

107.6
107.3
107.8
107.7
107.6

108.7
108.3
108.9
108.8
108.7

109.7
109.2
109.9
109.7
109.6

110.3

111.2
111.2
111.2

113.1
113.3
113.0
114.2
112.7

.6
.6
.6

2.5
2.9
2.4
3.2
2.4

106.9
106.1
105.8
105.4

108.3
107.4
106.9
106.4

109.4
108.5
107.7
107.6

110.3
109.2
108.9
108.6

110.9
109.6
109.9
109.4

113.7
112.7
112.5

.6
.6
.6

112.8

.5

2.4
3.1

106.1
106.0

107.3
107.2

108.4
108.4

109.3
109.0

112.3

112.9

109.4

112.0

112.8

.5
.7

2.5
3.1

111.2

111.5
111.2

111.2
110.0

112.4
111.7
112.5
111.2
112.2

.5
.7
.5
.8

.7
.8

.7
.8
.6

4.3
4.6
3.9
4.7
4.1
3.2
3.4
3.0
3.6
3.0

WAGES AND SALARIES

1 The indexes are calculated differently from those for the occupation and
industry groups. For a detailed description of the index calculation, see the


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

110.1

110.4
110.7
110.1

110.1

110.4
109.4

111.1

111.8

112.4
112.6

111.9
110.9

111.9
111.7
112.7
111.4

112.3
113.4

111.7

112.2

113.0

110.8

110.7

111.5
111.3

110.2

111.1

112.0
111.8
112.2

110.9
110.7

111.6
111.2

112.0

112.2

.7
.6

2.8

3.6
2.8

3.3

2.5
2.8

Labor
R e v ie w
Technical Note, “Estimation procedures for the
Employment Cost Index,” May 1982.

M o n th ly

Monthly Labor Review M ay 1993

101

Current Labor Statistics:
25.

Compensation & Industrial Relations

Percent of full-time employees participating In employer-provided benefit plans, 1980-91
Small
private
establish­
ments’

Medium and large private establishments'

Item
1980 1981 1982

1983

1984

1985

1986

1988

1989

1991

1990

State and local
governments3
1987

1990

Tlme-off plans
Participants with:
Paid lunch time ................................................
Average minutes per day..............................
Paid rest tim e..................................................
Average minutes per day..............................
Paid funeral leave............................................
Average days per occurrence......................
Paid holidays...................................................
Average days per year.................................
Paid personal leave.........................................
Average days per year..................................
Paid vacations.................................................
Paid sick leave................................................
Unpaid maternity leave ...................................
Unpaid paternity leave ....................................

9
25
76
25

99

99

99

10.1
20

10 .2

10.0

23
99
65

24
3.8
99
67

67

9
26
73
26
99
9.8
23
3.6
99
67

-

_
-

_
-

_
-

_
-

_

97

97

97

96

97

58
98

60

62

37
58

46
62

99

99

99

~

-

50
37

53
43

26

27
49

27

96

96

96

96

96

96

96

92

94

94

64

85

69
-

72
64

72
64

72
66

74
64

73
13
62

72

76

59

49

71
6
44

67

8

71
7
42

78

10

40

41

43

45

47

48

48

42

45

54

50

51

49

51

52

49

46

84

84

84

82

82

80

76

55

56
98
50
43
-

58
97
52
45
-

64
97
51
54
-

63
97
47
54
56
-

67
97
41
57
61
7 53

64
98
35
57
62
7 60

-

-

-

-

26

33

-

-

~

“

“

10

10

75
-

75
«

100

62
“

11

25
74
25
99
9.8
25
3.7

10

10

11

10

8

27
72
26

27
72
26

8

88

26
71
26
84
3.3
97
9.2

30

88

29
72
26
85
3.2
96
9.4
24
3.3
98
69

37
48
27
47
2.9
84
9.5

3.2
98

3.2
99

10.1

10.0

26
3.7
99
67

25
3.7

22

3.1
97

67

26
80
3.3
92
1 0 .2
21

11
2 .8
88

17
34
4 58
29
56
3.7
81
10.9
38
2.7
72
97

36
56
29
63
3.7
74
13 6
39
29
67
95

4

11

68

3.3
96
67

37
18

37
26

17

-

33
16

8

57
30

51
33

96

95

90

92

83

69

93

93

56

66

67
99

70

99

61
52

68

70

61

75
80
97
97
96

81
80
98
97
96

79
83
98
97
94

76
78
98
87

99
99

66

76
79
98
80
74

86

98

33
36
36
43
44
47
51
$10.13 $11.93 $12.05 $12.80 $19.29 $25.31 $26.60
51
54
58
56
63
64
66
69
- $32.51 $35.93 $38.33 $41.40 $60.07 $72.10 $96.97

42
$25.13
67
$109.34

100

100

70

47

Insurance plans
Participants in medical care plans.....................
Participants with coverage for:
Home health c a re .........................................
Extended care facilities.................................
Mental health ca re ........................................
Alcohol abuse treatment...............................
Drug abuse treatment ..................................
Participants with employee contribution
required for:
Self coverage................................................
Average monthly contribution ...................
Family coverage............................................
Average monthly contribution5 ...................
Participants in life insurance plans....................
Participants with:
Accidental death and dismemberment
insurance.................................................
Survivor income benefits ..............................
Retiree protection available..........................
Participants in long-term disability insurance
plans.............................................................
Participants in sickness and accident insurance
plans.............................................................
Retirement plans
Participants in defined benefit pension plans'....
Participants with:
Normal retirement prior to age 6 5 ................
Early retirement available.............................
Ad hoc pension increase in last 5 years......
Terminal earnings formula............................
Benefit coordinated with Social Security......
Participants in defined contribution plans..........
Participants in plans with tax-deferred savings
arrangements ................................................

46
“

98
53
45
-

55

99

82
79

35
38
$15.74 $25.53
71
65
$71.89 $117.59
88

67

1

1

1

19

55

45

40

19

31

27

43

45

26

14

21

63

63

59

20

93

90

59
98
26

62
97

55

55

64
63
48

54
95
7
58
49
31

92
90
33

89
88
16

62
45

96
7
56
54
48

100

100

18
9

8
9

36

41

44

17

28

45

5

9
23

10

1

5

36

8

5

5
31

22

Other benefits
Employees eligible for
Flexible benefits p lan s....................................
Reimbursement accounts................................

”

' From 1979 to 1986, data were collected in private sector establishments
with a minimum employment varying from 50 to 250 employees, depending
upon industry. In addition, coverage in service industries was limited. Begin­
ning in 1988, data were collected in all private sector establishments
employing 100 workers or more in all industries.
2 Includes private sector establishments with fewer than 100 workers.
3 In 1987, coverage excluded local governments employing fewer than 50
workers. In 1990, coverage included all State and local governments.
4 Data exclude college teachers.
5 Data for 1983 refer to the average monthly employee contribution for
dependent coverage, excluding the employee. Beginning in 1984, data refer

102 Monthly Labor Review May 1993

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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

2

5

12

to the average monthly employee contribution for family coverage, which
includes the employee.
6
Prior to 1985, data on participation in defined benefit pension plans
included a small percentage of workers participating in money purchase
pension plans.
Beginning in 1985, these workers were classified as
participating in defined contribution plans.
Includes employees who participated in Payroll-based Employee Stock
Ownership Plans. Beginning in 1987, these plans were no longer available.
NOTE: Dash indicates data were not collected in this year.

26. Specified compensation and wage rate changes from contract settlements, and wage rate changes under all
agreements, private industry collective bargaining agreements covering 1,000 workers or more (in percent)
Quarterly average

Annual average

1992

1991

Measure

1990

1991

4.6
3.2

II

III

IV

I

II

III

IV

I

4.1
3.4

3.8
3.0

4.8
3.9

3.7
3.2

3.6
2.9

2.7
3.5

3.6
3.6

3.3
3.0

1.4
2.7

4.0
3.2

3.6
3.2

4.3
3.3

3.6
3.5

3.2
3.0

3.7
3.2

3.1
3.1

2.8
3.0

2.9
3.1

1.8
2.6

3.5

3.6

.7

1.0

1.1

.7

.6

1.0

1.0

.4

.3
.3
.1

.1
.4
.1

.2
.7
.1

.3
.6
.1

.2
.2
.1

Changes under settlements:
Total compensation 1 changes,2 settlements
covering 5,000 workers or more:

Wage changes, settlements covering 1,000
workers or more:

Wage changes under all agreements:
Source:

1.3
1.5
.7

.4
.6
.1

.2
.4
.2

1.1
1.9
.5

1 Compensation includes wages, salaries, and employers’ cost of employee
benefits when contract is negotiated,
2 Changes are the net result of increases, decreases, and zero change in

.3
.7
.1

compensation or wages.
3 Because of rounding, total may not equal sum of parts.

27. Average specified compensation and wage rate changes, private industry collective bargaining settlements
covering 1,000 workers or more during 4-quarter periods (in percent)_______________________________________
Average for four quarters ending1992

1991

Measure

IV

III

II

I

I

III

h

IV

Specified total compensation changes, settlements covering 5,000
workers or more, all industries:
First year of contract........................................................................
Annual average over life of contract.................................................

4.5
3.1

4.4
3.1

4.3
3.3

4.1
3.4

4.0
3.4

3.6
3.2

3.5
3.2

3.0
3.1

Specified wage changes, settlements covering 1,000 workers or
more:
All industries:
First year of contract .....................................................................
Contracts with COLA clauses......................................................
Contracts without COLA clauses .................................................
Annual average over life of contract..............................................
Contracts with COLA clauses......................................................
Contracts without COLA clauses ................................................

4.1
3.5
4.5
3.1
1.9
4.0

3.8
3.4
4.1
3.0

3.7
3.3
3.9
3.1

3.1
3.1
3.1
3.1

2.2

2.6

2.6

3.7

3.4

3.5
3.3
3.5
3.2
3.0
3.3

3.2
3.0
3.2
3.1

2.1

3.6
3.4
3.7
3.2
3.0
3.3

3.2

3.2

2.7
2.7
2.7
3.0
2.5
3.1

3.9
3.2
4.8
3.1
2.7
3.7

3.5
3.2
4.0
3.0
2.7
3.5

3.1
2.7
3.7
2.7

3.0

3.4
3.9
3.4
3.3
4.1
3.2

3.4
3.8
3.4
3.3
4.1
3.3

Manufacturing:
First year of contract .....................................................................
Contracts with COLA clauses......................................................
Contracts without COLA clauses .................................................
Annual average over life of contract..............................................
Contracts with COLA clauses......................................................
Contracts without COLA clauses .................................................
Nonmanufacturing:
First year of contract.....................................................................
Contracts with COLA clauses......................................................
Contracts without COLA clauses ................................................
Annual average over life of contract..............................................
Contracts with COLA clauses......................................................
Contracts without COLA clauses .................................................
Construction:
First year of contract .....................................................................
Contracts with COLA clauses......................................................
Contracts without COLA clauses .................................................
Annual average over life of contract..............................................
Contracts with COLA clauses.....................................................
Contracts without COLA clauses .................................................

(’ )
(’ )

( 1)
(')

0
(’ )

(1)
(1)

3.7

3.9

3.1

3.7

2.2

(2)
(2)

(2)
(2)

(2)

2.3
3.0

2.9

2.9

3.6

4.2

2.3

2.2
(2)
(2)

(2)
(2)

(2)
(2)

( 1)
(’ )

3.4

( 1)
( 1)

O
(1)

(’ )
(’ )

3.6

3.9

4.1
(’ )
0

2.7

2.1

2.0

O
( 1)

(’ )
(1)

(')
(’ )

( 1)
(’ )

3.9

3.7

4.0
(')
(’ )

(2)
(2)

(2)

3.0

3.4

2.1

1.8

3.3

3.3

1.9
3.2

3.2
3.8
3.2
3.2
3.7
3.2

3.1
3.8
3.0
3.2
3.3
3.2

2.3
(1)
( 1)

2.6

2.7
3.6
2.6

3.0
3.0
3.0

2.0

2.0
(1)
(')

C)
( 1)

2.7
( 1)
( 1)

2.6
1.6

2.2

3.6
2.7

2.5
(1)
(1)

2.4
( 1)
( 1)

1 Data do not meet publication standards.
2 None of the settlements included COLA provisions.


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

Monthly Labor Review M ay 1993

103

Current Labor Statistics:

Compensation & Industrial Relations

28. Average wage rate changes, private industry collective bargaining agreements covering 1,000 workers
or more during 4-quarter periods (in percent)
Average for four quarters endingMeasure

1991

Average wage change'..................................................................
Source:
Current settlements..........................................................
Prior settlements................................................................
COLA provisions.........................................................................

III

IV

I

II

III

IV

3.4

3.5

3.6

3.5

3.4

3.2

31

1.3

1.1
1.8
.6

1.1

1.1
2.0

.9

1.9
.5

2.0

.4

.4

.9
1.9
.4

1.9
.4

4.2

4.1

4.0

3.8

3.9

3.8

37

3.9
3.4
2.4

3.8
3.6
2.4

4.2
3.7

4.0
3.7

3.6
3.7

36
3.8

2.0

1.8

3.9
3.7
1.9

2.1

2.0

1.6

.5

Average wage increase ...............................................................
Source:
Current settlements....................................................................
Prior settlements............................................................
COLA provisions............................................................

1992

II

' Because of rounding, total may not equal sum of parts.

29. Specified compensation and wage rate changes from contract settlements, and wage rate changes under all agreements,
State and local government collective bargaining agreements covering 1,000 workers or more (in percent)
Annual average

Measure
1990

1991

5.1
5.1

2.7

4.9
5.0

2.6
2.6

2.1

4.6

1.0

1.9

2.0
2.6

.2

.8
1.1

Changes under settlements:
Total compensation ' changes, 2 settlements covering 5,000 workers or more:
First year of contract ...............................................................................................................................
Annual average over life of contract..................................................................................................
Wage changes, settlements covering 1,000 workers or more:
First year of contract ...............................................................................................................................
Annual average over life of contract...............................................................................................................
Wage changes under all agreements:
Average wage change 3 ......................................................................................................................................
Source:
Current settlements....................................................................................................................
Prior settlements........................................................................................................................................
COLA provisions...............................................................................................................................
Compensation includes wages, salaries, and employers’ cost of employee
benefits when contract is negotiated.
2 Changes are the net result of increases, decreases, and zero change in
1

30.

1992

2.1

.6

1.9

(4)

compensation or wages.
3 Because of rounding, total may not equal sum of parts.
4 Less than 0.05 percent.

Work stoppages involving 1,000 workers or more
Annual totals

1992

1993

Measure
1991

1992

Mar.

Apr.

May

June

July

Aug.

Sept.

Oct.

Nov.

Dec.

Number of stoppages:
Beginning in period...................
In effect during period...............

40
45

35
41

Workers involved:
Beginning in period (in
thousands)...............................
In effect during period (in
thousands)...............................

392.0

363.8

2.7

15.2

9.6

242.6

3.8

56.8

16.2

14.5

.0

412.0

388.0

17.9

34.7

23.5

258.7

11.5

63.8

80.0

23.5

7.0

4,583.6

3,988.6

366.8

414.5

321.8

741.2

157.0

213.9

578.4

280.6

98.6

.02

.01

.01

.02

.01

.03

.01

.01

.02

.01

.01

Days idle:
Number (in thousands)..............
Percent of estimated working
time' ........................................

1

5

4
9

6
11

1 Agricultural and government employees are included in the total employed and total
working time: private household, forestry, and fishery employees are excluded. An explanation of the measurement of idleness as a percentage of the total time worked is found

104 Monthly Labor Review May 1993

https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

6
12

1

3

8

5

6

14

5
9

0

3

in “'Total economy’ measure of strike idleness,”
pp. 54-56.
p = preliminary.

Jan.
0
2

Feb.p

Mar.p

2

1

2

3

3

5

.0

220

50

84

2.6

236

76

177

48.2

564

1,394

996

.01

1

1

1

M o n th ly L a b o r R e v ie w ,

October 1968,

31. Consumer Price Indexes for All Urban Consumers and for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers: U.S. city
average, by expenditure category and commodity or service group
(1982-84=100, unless otherwise indicated)

Series

1992

Ann ual
aver age

1993

1991

1992

Mar.

Apr.

May

June

July

Aug.

Sept.

Oct.

Nov.

Dec.

Jan.

Feb.

Mar.

All items.................................................................................
All items (1967=100) .............................................................

136.2
408.0

140.3
420.3

139.3
417.2

139.5
417.9

139.7
418.6

140.2
419.9

140.5
420.8

140.9
422.0

141.3
423.2

141.8
424.7

142.0
425.3

141.9
425.2

142.6
427.0

143.1
428.7

143.6
430.1

Food and beverages............................................................
Food..................................................................................
Food at hom e.................................................................
Cereals and bakery products.........................................
Meats, poultry, fish, and eggs........................................
Dairy products...............................................................
Fruits and vegetables....................................................
Other foods at home.....................................................
Sugar and sweets.......................................................
Fats and oils...............................................................
Nonalcoholic beverages..............................................
Other prepared foods.................................................
Food away from home ....................................................
Alcoholic beverages...........................................................

136.8
136.3
135.8
145.8
132.6
125.1
155.8
127.3
129.3
131.7
114.1
137.1
137.9
142.8

138.7
137.9
136.8
151.5
130.9
128.5
155.4
128.8
133.1
129.8
114.3
140.1
140.7
147.3

138.8
138.1
137.5
149.7
130.7
127.8
161.3
129.0
132.9
129.8
115.3
139.8
140.1
146.7

138.8
138.1
137.4
150.6
130.3
127.4
162.0
128.6
133.0
129.6
114.4
139.5
140.2
147.2

138.3
137.4
136.2
150.7
130.0
127.0
155.1
128.9
132.9
130.4
114.5
140.0
140.4
147.4

138.3
137.4
136.1
151.6
130.2
127.8
151.9
129.2
133.3
130.2
115.0
140.1
140.7
147.5

138.1
137.2
135.7
152.4
130.1
128.3
149.4
128.7
133.8
129.9
113.9
139.8
140.8
147.7

138.8
138.0
136.9
153.1
130.8
129.2
153.7
129.1
133.8
129.5
114.1
140.8
141.0
147.6

139.3
138.5
137.4
152.6
131.5
129.7
155.5
129.0
133.7
129.9
114.2
140.4
141.2
148.0

139.2
138.3
137.2
152.8
131.5
130.1
153.7
129.2
133.7
129.9
114.1
140.9
141.3
148.2

139.1
138.3
137.0
152.7
131.8
129.4
154.0
128.2
133.0
128.5
112.4
140.6
141.5
148.2

139.5
138.7
137.5
153.3
132.1
129.1
156.2
128.3
132.1
128.4
112.3
141.2
141.6
148.1

140.5
139.8
139.1
153.4
133.5
129.5
160.9
129.4
133.1
130.2
113.5
142.1
142.0
148.7

140.7
139.9
139.1
154.9
133.2
128.8
159.4
130.3
133.3
130.7
115.1
142.7
142.2
149.1

140.9
140.1
139.4
154.6
134.5
128.8
159.1
130.2
132.8
130.2
114.8
143.0
142.4
149.4

Housing ...............................................................................
Shelter...............................................................................
Renters’ costs (12/82=100)..........................................
Rent, residential....................... .....................................
Other renters’ costs ......................................................
Homeowners’ costs (12/82=100)...................................
Owners’ equivalent rent (12/82=100)..........................
Household insurance (12/82=100)...............................
Maintenance and repairs.................................................
Maintenance and repair services ..................................
Maintenance and repair commodities............................
Fuel and other utilities.......................................................
Fuels ..............................................................................
Fuel oil, coal, and bottled g a s ......................................
Gas (piped) and electricity............................................
Other utilities and public services....................................
Household furnishings and operations...............................
Housefurnishings............................................................
Housekeeping supplies...................................................
Housekeeping services....................................................

133.6
146.3
155.6
143.3
174.6
150.2
150.4
138.4
126.3
130.3

136.6
150.4
161.2
146.4
187.3
154.1
154.3
141.0
128.4
132.0
123.5
115.8
105.2
90.5
111.5
141.7
117.7
109.4
128.6
130.3

136.5
150.2
160.1
146.2
183.7
154.2
154.4
141.1
128.0
132.2
122.4
115.8
105.1
89.9
111.3
142.2
118.0
109.7
129.0
130.5

136.7 137.7
150.2 151.1
159.5 161.0
146.3 146.6
180.9 186.2
154.4 155.0
154.6 155.3
141.4 142.0
128.1 128.5
131.9 133.1
123.0 122.3
116.8 119.0
106.5 110.2
89.8
90.1
113.0 117.4
142.4 142.2
117.9 118.2
109.2 109.1
129.5 129.8
131.0 132.6

138.3
151.8
162.8
147.0
192.0
155.5
155.7
142.6
128.8
133.4

138.5
152.5
161.7
148.0
184.2
156.8
157.1
143.3
129.4
134.7

138.5
152.4
160.6
148.6
178.3
157.2
157.5
143.5
129.5
134.8

119.4
110.4
90.0
117.6
143.1
118.4
109.4
130.1
132.6

138.6
152.3
163.5
147.0
194.7
155.8
156.1
142.9
128.1
133.1
121.3
119.4
110.3
89.7
117.5
143.3
118.3
109.0
130.1
133.0

138.4
151.9
161.7
147.2
186.9
156.0
156.3
143.1
128.5
133.1

137.9
116.0
107.5
128.9
127.5

137.5
151.2
160.9
146.9
184.8
155.3
155.5
142.2
128.6
133.1
122.4
117.8
108.1
90.7
114.8
142.5
118.0
109.0
129.6
132.1

139.3
153.7
162.5
148.9
184.9
158.2
158.5
144.1
129.7
135.1
122.5
119.2
109.2
92.3
115.9
144.3
118.2
108.6
130.0
134.1

139.7
154.4
164.4
149.1
191.6
158.5
158.8
144.7
130.5
135.2
124.0
118.4
107.5
92.5
113.8
145.3
118.6
108.9
130.6
134.5

140.2
154.8
165.2
149.1
195.0
158.7
159.0
144.9
131.5
135.8
125.8
119.5
108.6
92.8
115.1
146.3
118.7
109.3
129.6
134.6

Apparel and upkeep............................................................
Apparel commodities.........................................................
Men’s and boys’ apparel................................................
Women’s and girls’ apparel ............................................
Infants’ and toddlers’ apparel.........................................
Footwear........................................................................
Other apparel commodities.............................................
Apparel services................................................................

128.7
126.4
124.2
127.6
128.9
120.9
137.7
142.9

131.9
129.4
126.5
130.4
129.3
125.0
142.6
147.9

133.4
131.2
127.4
133.6
127.1
124.9
143.9
146.6

133.3
131.1
127.8
133.1
131.3
125.6
141.5
146.7

133.1
130.9
127.5
132.6
130.3
126.0
142.8
146.8

131.0
128.4
126.2
128.2
129.6
125.4
142.7
148.6

129.2
126.5
124.2
125.1
128.3
124.4
144.2
148.5

Transportation .....................................................................
Private transportation........................................................
New vehicles..................................................................
New cars......................................................................
Used c a rs.......................................................................
Motor fuel.......................................................................
Gasoline.......................................................................
Maintenance and repair..................................................
Other private transportation............................................
Other private transportation commodities.....................
Other private transportation services............................
Public transportation.........................................................

123.8
. 121.9
. 126.0
. 125.3
. 118.1
99.4
99.2
136.0
. 149.1
. 104.1
. 159.2
. 148.9

126.5
124.6
129.2
128.4
123.2
99.0
99.0
141.3
153.2
104.8
164.2
151.4

124.4
129.1
128.2
115.7
93.4
93.2
140.3
152.2
105.2
162.8
153.5

125.2 126.3 126.9
122.9 124.3 125.4
129.1 129.2 129.1
128.2 128.4 128.2
117.9 120.5 123.1
99.4 102.9
95.0
99.4 103.0
94.8
140.5 140.8 141.2
152.4 152.5 152.6
104.8 104.8 104.6
163.2 163.2 163.5
154.7 151.6 145.3

127.2
125.5
128.6
127.8
124.8

Medical care.......................................................................
Medical care commodities................................................
Medical care services.......................................................
Professional services......................................................
Hospital and related services.........................................

. 177.0
. 176.8
. 177.1
. 165.7
. 196.1

190.1
188.1
190.5
175.8
214.0

187.3
186.7
187.4
173.4
209.7

188.1
187.9
188.1
174.1
210.3

188.7
187.6
188.9
174.7
211.4

Entertainment.....................................................................
Entertainment commodities..............................................
Entertainment services.....................................................

. 138.4
. 128.6
. 150.6

142.3
131.3
155.9

141.2
130.7
154.3

142.0
131.4
155.2

142.0
131.2
155.3

. 171.6 183.3
. 202.7 219.8
. 134.9 138.3
. 132 8 136.5
.. 137.0 140.0
. 183.7 197.4
.. 180.3 190.3
.. 184.2 198.1

179.8
213.5
137.9
136.1
139.6
193.5
188.6
194.0

180.3 181.3 181.5
214.5 219.3 219.2
138.5 138.0 137.8
137.0 136.1 135.7
139.8 139.8 139.9
193.9 194.0 194.6
188.7 188.4 189.1
194.5 194.7 195.2

CONSUMER PRICE INDEX FOR ALL URBAN CONSUMERS:

Other goods and services ..................................................
Tobacco products............................................................
Personal care...................................................................
Toilet goods and personal care appliances....................
Personal care services..................................................
Personal and educational expenses.................................
School books and supplies............................................
Personal and educational services.................................
See footnotes at end of table.


https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

121.0

115.3
106.7
94.6
112.6

122.2

122.2

122.2

122.2

119.8
89.7
118.5
143.0
118.3
108.8
129.8
133.8

118.5
108.7
91.4
115.4
143.4
118.4
109.0
129.9
133.9

118.3
108.2
92.1
114.8
143.7
118.5
109.1
130.2
134.0

138.5
152.5
160.2
148.6
176.7
157.5
157.8
144.3
129.3
135.2
121.3
118.7
108.9
91.8
115.6
143.6
118.2
108.7
129.5
134.3

130.2
127.6
124.1
127.5
128.8
124.9
143.9
148.6

133.3
130.8
126.8
132.6
130.1
126.3
143.6
148.8

135.0
132.7
128.8
135.1
130.6
127.1
144.3
149.3

134.5
132.1
128.8
134.3
131.9
126.0
142.7
149.7

131.4
128.7
127.1
129.1
130.7
125.1
138.9
149.7

129.7
126.8
124.2
125.7
127.9
124.4
145.7
149.7

133.4
130.9
126.5
133.1
127.0
125.2
145.2
150.2

136.2
133.9
128.7
138.4
125.9
126.3
144.6
150.6

126.9
125.4
128.5
127.6
126.4
101.7

126.8
125.4
128.3
127.4
127.7
101.7

128.0
126.1
129.1
128.2
129.1

129.2
127.0
130.6
129.7
129.9

129.0
126.7
131.3
130.5
129.0

101.6

102.9
141.4
153.0
104.4
164.0
148.3

101.8

101.8

102.2
102.2

100.2
100.1

141.6
153.1
104.6
164.1
146.7

142.2
152.7
104.8
163.5
145.6

101.5
142.5
154.4
104.5
165.8
152.9

142.8
155.3
104.7
166.8
157.4

143.2
155.5
104.7
167.1
158.2

129.1
126.6
131.8
130.9
127.4
98.6
98.5
143.4
156.5
105.0
168.2
161.6

129.2
126.5
132.0
130.9
126.0
98.0
97.8
144.3
156.8
104.5
168.8
164.1

129.0
126.3
132.0
130.9
126.6
97.3
97.1
144.7
156.3
103.9
168.3
163.5

189.4
188.0
189.7
175.4
212.3

190.7
188.6
191.1
176.3
214.6

191.5
188.9
192.2
177.1
216.2

192.3
189.5
192.9
177.7
217.1

193.3
189.8
194.2
178.4
219.4

194.3
190.4
195.2
179.1
221.0

194.7
191.1
195.6
179.4
221.4

196.4
191.8
197.5
180.7
224.2

198.0
193.2
199.1
181.7
227.0

198.6
193.9
199.7
182.3
227.4

142.0
131.3
155.3

142.4
131.6
155.7

142.6
131.6
156.2

143.2
131.3
157.7

143.5
131.6
158.0

143.7
132.2
157.8

143.8
131.9
158.3

144.3
132.8
158.4

144.5
132.9
158.7

144.8
133.1
159.0

182.3 183.9
220.5 221.5
138.8 138.7
137.5 137.3
140.0 140.1
195.2 197.7
189.3 189.7
195.8 198.6

187.0
224.0
138.6
137.0
140.1

122.6

102.8

111.1

187.9
225.6
138.7
136.8
140.5
202.6 203.6
193.0 193.8
203.5 204.6

188.0 189.1 191.0
225.0 228.9 234.6
139.0 139.6 139.8
136.9 137.8 137.7
141.1 141.3 141.9
203.9 204.2 205.4
193.9 193.8 195.5
204.9 205.3 206.4

191.5 192.0
235.6 236.3
139.6 140.7
137.0 138.4
142.2 142.9
206.0 206.3
195.6 195.7
207.0 207.3

Monthly Labor Review M ay 1993

105

Current Labor Statistics:

Price Data

31. Continued— Consumer Price Indexes for All Urban Consumers and for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers- U S citv
average, by expenditure category and commodity or service group
y
(1982-84 = 100, unless otherwise indicated)

Series

Annual
average

1992

1993

1991

1992

Mar.

Apr.

May

June

July

Aug.

Sept.

Oct.

Nov.

Dec.

Jan.

Feb.

All items ......................................................................................
Commodities.............................................................................
Food and beverages...............................................................
Commodities less food and beverages...................................
Nondurables less food and beverages .................................
Apparel commodities.........................................................
Nondurables less food, beverages, and apparel ................
Durables...............................................................................

136.2
126.6
136.8
120.4
123.5
126.4
124.8
116.0

140.3
129.1
138.7
123.2
126.5
129.4
127.9
118.6

139.3
128.4
138.8
122.1
125.0
131.2
124.8
117.9

139.5
128.8
138.8
122.5
125.6
131.1
125.7
118.2

139.7
129.1
138.3
123.4
126.9
130.9
127.9
118.4

140.2
129.2
138.3
123.5
127.0
128.4
129.2
118.5

140.5
129.C
138.1
123.3
126.6
126.5
129.6
118.6

140.9
129.3
138.8
123.4
126.8
127.6
129.3
118.5

141.C
129.9
139.C
124.1
128.C
130.8
129.6
118.5

141.8
130.3
139.2
124.8
128.8
132.7
129.7
119.2

142.C
130.5
139.1
125.1
128.8
132.1
130.1
120.0

141.£
130.1
139.5
124.3
127.4
128.7
129.6
120.1

142.5
130.4
140 5
124 1
126.9
126 8
129.9
120.0

143 1
130 9
140 7
124 9
128.3
130 9
130 0 129 ft
120.0 120.2

Services....................................................................................
Rent of shelter (12/82 = 100).................................................
Household services less rent of’ shelter (12/82=100)............
Transportation services..........................................................
Medical care services..............................................................
Other services ........................................................................

146.3
152.1
126.7
151.2
177.1
159.8

152.0
157.3
130.2
155.7
190.5
168.5

150.7
156.5
128.0
155.2
187.4
166.0

150.8
156.3
128.2
155.7
188.1
166.6

150.9
156.2
129.1
155.1
188.9
166.7

151.7
157.1
131.4
153.9
189.7
167.1

152.5
158.0
131.8
154.9
191.1
167.5

153.0
158.5
131.9
154.7
192.2
168.9

153.2
158.0
132.4
154.3
192.9
171.6

153.7
158.6
131.2
157.2
194.2
172.3

154.0
158.6
131.0
158.8
195.2
172.4

154.2
158.7
131.4
159.2
195.6
172.8

155 2 155 8
159 9 160 6
131.8 131 2
160.6 161 7 161 4
197.5 199 1 199 7
173.3 173.8 174.1

Special indexes:
All items less food ..................................................................
All items less shelter ...............................................................
All items less homeowners’ costs (12/82 = 100)......................
All items less medical care......................................................
Commodities less food............................................................
Nondurables less food ............................................................
Nondurables less food and apparel .........................................
Nondurables............................................................................
Services less rent of’ shelter (12/82 = 100).............................
Services less medical care......................................................
Energy.....................................................................................
All items less energy ...............................................................
All items less food and energy ................................................
Commodities less food and energy.........................................
Energy commodities ...............................................................
Services less energy...............................................................

136.1 140.8
133.5 137.3
137.8 141.9
133.8 137.5
121.3 124.2
124.5 127.6
125.7 128.9
130.3 132.8
150.9 157.6
143.3 148.4
102.5 103.0
140.9 145.4
142.1 147.3
128.8 132.5
99.1
98.3
149.8 155.9

139.5
136.2
140.8
136.5
123.0
126.2
126.1
132.1
155.5
147.1
98.9
144.7
146.4
132.1
93.3
154.7

139.7
136.6
141.1
136.7
123.5
126.8
127.0
132.4
156.0
147.2
99.5
144.9
146.6
132.4
94.6
154.8

140.1
136.9
141.3
136.9
124.4
128.0
128.9
132.8
156.3
147.3
102.4
144.9
146.7
132.6
98.6
154.8

140.7
137.2
141.8
137.4
124.5
128.1
130.1
132.8
157.1
148.1
105.9
145.0
146.9
132.2
101.6
155.3

141.1
137.3
142.0
137.6
124.3
127.8
130.5
132.5
157.8
148.8
106.0
145.3
147.3
132.0
101.6
156.1

141.4
137.7
142.4
138.0
124.3
127.9
130.2
133.0
158.3
149.2
105.4
145.8
147.7
132.2
100.5
156.6

141.8
138.4
142.9
138.4
125.1
129.1
130.5
133.8
159.2
149.4
105.9
146.2
148.1
133.1
100.5
156.8

142.4
138.9
143.3
138.8
125.7
129.8
130.6
134.2
159.7
149.9
104.5
146.9
149.0
133.9
100.6
157.7

142.7
139.2
143.5
139.0
126.1
129.8
130.9
134.2
160.3
150.1
104.5
147.1
149.3
134.2
101.2
158.0

142.5
139.1
143.4
138.9
125.3
128.5
130.5
133.6
160.7
150.3
103.9
147.1
149.2
133.6
99.4
158.2

143.1
139 5
144.0
139.5
125.1
128.1
130.8
133.9
161.6
151.2
103.4
147.9
149.9
133.6
98.1
159.3

143.7
140 0
144 7
140 0
125.8
129 4
130 9
134 7
162 0
151.7
102.2
148 7
150 8
134 7
97 6
160.1

135 5
97 0
160.5

Purchasing power of the consumer dollar:
1982-84-$1.00.......................................................................
1967 = $1.00............................................................................

Mar.

144 2

126 4
130 9
162 6

152 1
102 5
151 4

73.4
24.5

71.3
23.8

71.8
24.0

71.7
23.9

71.6
23.9

71.3
23.8

71.2
23.8

71.0
23.7

70.8
23.6

70.5
23.5

70.4
23.5

70.5
23.5

70.1
23.4

69.9
23.3

69 7
23.3

134.3
399.9

138.2
411.5

137.0
408.1

137.3
408.9

137.6
409.9

138.1
411.4

138.4
412.1

138.8
413.3

139.1
414.5

139.6
415.8

139.8
416.5

139.8
416.3

140.3
417.8

140.7
419.2

141 1
420.4

136.5 138.3 138.4 138.5 137.9 137.9 137.8 138.5 138.9
136.0 137.5 137.7 137.7 137.1 137.1 136.9 137.7 138.1
135.5 136.4 137.0 136.9 135.8 135.6 135.3 136.5 136.9
145.6 151.3 149.6 150.5 150.6 151.4 152.2 152.9 152.5
132.7 130.8 130.6 130.2 130.1 130.2 130.2 130.7 131.6
124.8 128.2 127.5 127.1 126.6 127.4 127.9 128.9 129.5
155.6 154.8 160.9 161.4 154.4 151.5 149.2 153.4 154.6
127.2 128.8 128.9 128.5 128.8 129.1 128.6 129.0 129.0
129.2 132.8 132.6 132.6 132.6 133.1 133.5 133.5 133.4
131.5 129.7 129.7 129.5 130.4 130.1 129.9 129.3 129.8
114.4 114.6 115.7 114.8 114.9 115.4 114.2 114.4 114.6
137.0 140.0 139.6 139.4 139.8 139.9 139.6 140.6 140.3
137.8 140.6 139.9 140.1 140.3 140.5 140.7 140.8 141.1
142.6 147.0 146.6 147.1 147.3 147.4 147.5 147.3 147.7

138.8 138.8
138.0 138.0
136.7 136.6
152.6 152.5
131.4 131.8
129.8 129.2
152.8 153.3
129.1 128.2
133.3 132.8
129.7 128.4
114.5 112.8
140.7 140.5
141.2 141.4
148.0 147.8

139.1
138.3
137.0
153.0
132.1
128.9
155.3
128.2
131.9
128.3
112.7
141.0
141.6
147.7

140.1
139.4
138.5
153.1
133.4
129.2
159 7
129.4
132.9
130.1
114.0
142.0
141.8
148.3

140.2
139.4
138 5
154 6
133 1
128 4
158 1
130 3
133 1
130 6
115 6
142 5
142 1
148.8

140 5
139 7
13ft ft

131.2 135.0
142.5 147.2
136.9 141.3
142.9 146.5
175.0 185.3
136.9 141.5
137.1 141.8
126.7 130.2
127.8 129.9
133.4 136.8
119.8 120.4
114.9 117.5
106.1 107.5
94.4
90.6
112.1 114.3
138.4 143.1
115.2 116.9
106.5 107.8
129.4 130.2
129.0 133.7

135.9 136.0
148.5 148.5
142.0 141.6
147.7 148.2
184.5 178.6
142.9 143.2
143.2 143.5
131.3 131.3
130.1 130.8
138.7 138.8
118.8 120.1
118.2 118.0
108.1 107.7
91.3
91.9
114.8 114.3
144.0 144.3
117.3 117.5
107.8 107.9
130.4 130.9
135.4 135.6

136.1
148.7
141.4
148.2
176.9
143.5
143.8
132.0
129.8
139.0
118.0
118.4
108.4
91.7
115.1
144.2
117.2
107.7
130.0
135.9

136.7 137 0
149.6 150 2
142.8 143 9
148.5 148 7
185 0 191 4
144.2 144 5
144.4 144 8
131.9 132 3
130.0 131.2
138 8 139 0
118 7 120.9
118.9 118.2
108.7 106 9
92.2
92 3
115.4 113 3
144.9 145 9
117.2 117 6
107.7 107 9
130.5 131.3
135.7 136.2

CONSUMER PRICE INDEX FOR URBAN WAGE EARNERS
AND CLERICAL WORKERS:
All items ......................................................................................
All items (1967—100) ..................................................................
Food and beverages .................................................................
Food.......................................................................................
Food at home ......................................................................
Cereals and bakery products..............................................
Meats, poultry, fish, and eggs.............................................
Dairy products....................................................................
Fruits and vegetables.........................................................
Other foods at home..........................................................
Sugar and sweets............................................................
Fats and oils....................................................................
Nonalcoholic beverages...................................................
Other prepared foods.......................................................
Food away from home .........................................................
Alcoholic beverages................................................................
Housing .....................................................................................
Shelter ....................................................................................
Renters’ costs (12/84=100)...............................................
Rent, residential.................................................................
Other renters' costs ...........................................................
Homeowners' costs (12/84 = 100)........................................
Owners’ equivalent rent (12/84 = 100)................................
Household insurance (12/84=100)....................................
Maintenance and repairs.......................................................
Maintenance and repair services ........................................
Maintenance and repair commodities.................................
Fuel and other utilities.............................................................
Fuels ....................................................................................
Fuel oil, coal, and bottled g a s ............................................
Gas (piped) and electricity .................................................
Other utilities and public services .........................................
Household furnishings and operations.....................................
Housefurnishings..................................................................
Housekeeping supplies.........................................................
Housekeeping services.........................................................
See footnotes at end of table.

106 Monthly Labor Review May 1993

https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

134.0
146.4
141.2
146.0
188.1
140.4
140.6
129.1
130.4
135.7
122.7
115.5
104.7
90.3
111.0
142.3
116.7
108.2
129.2
132.0

133.9 134.1
146.2 146.3
140.6 140.2
145.8 145.9
184.2 181.3
140.4 140.7
140.7 140.9
129.2 129.5
129.6 129.4
135.7 134.9
121.1 121.5
115.5 116.5
104.5 105.9
89.7 89.7
110.8 112.5
142.7 142.9
117.0 116.9
108.4 108.0
129.6 130.1
132.3 132.6

135.1
147.0
141.1
146.1
186.3
141.3
141.6
130.1
129.4
136.6
119.7
118.7
109.7
89.9
116.9
142.7
117.0
107.8
130.3
133.8

135.7
147.8
142.3
146.6
192.7
141.8
142.0
130.5
130.2
137.1
120.8
119.1
109.8
89.9
117.0
143.7
117.2
108.1
130.7
133.7

135.9 135.8
148.2 147.9
142.8 141.8
146.7 146.9
195.2 187.1
142.2 142.2
142.4 142.4
130.9 131.1
128.9 129.3
136.5 136.5
118.7 119.6
119.1 119.5
109.8 110.7
89.6 89.6
117.0 118.1
143.8 143.5
117.0 117.1
107.7 107.6
130.7 130.4
134.2 135.4

154 3

134 4
12ft 5

130 2
132 5
142 Q
149.0
137 4
150 5
14ft 7

132 5

119 2
10ft 0
114 6
147 0
117 5
10ft 1
130 0
136.3

31. Continued— Consumer Price Indexes for All Urban Consumers and for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers: U.S. city
average, by expenditure category and commodity or service group
(1982-84=100, unless otherwise indicated)
1992

Annual
Series

1993

1991

1992

Mar.

Apr.

May

June

July

Aug.

Sept.

Oct.

Nov.

Dec.

Jan.

Feb.

Mar.

127.4
125.2
123.1
126.0
131.3
121.4
133.7
142.2

130.7
128.3
125.6
128.9
131.6
125.4
140.4
147.6

132.1
129.9
126.5
132.0
129.3
125.4
140.8
146.4

132.1
129.9
126.8
131.5
133.3
125.9
139.5
146.5

131.8
129.6
126.5
130.8
132.6
126.5
140.2
146.5

129.8
127.3
125.1
126.6
131.8
125.6
141.2
148.2

128.1
125.5
123.3
123.8
130.2
124.8
142.5
148.1

129.5
127.0
123.5
127.0
130.8
125.3
141.7
148.2

132.1
129.8
125.9
131.1
132.8
126.5
141.5
148.5

133.8
131.5
128.0
133.4
133.5
127.5
142.1
148.9

133.4
131.1
128.2
132.7
134.6
126.6
141.0
149.3

130.4
127.8
126.4
127.6
133.1
125.6
137.3
149.2

128.4
125.8
123.8
123.8
130.8
124.7
143.7
149.1

132.0
129.5
126.1
130.5
129.6
125.8
144.3
149.7

134.8
132.5
127.7
136.5
128.3
126.5
143.7
150.2

123.1
121.7
126.2
125.1
118.1
99.6
99.4
136.4
146.4
103.5
156.6
146.6

125.8
124.4
129.6
128.1
123.6
99.0
99.0
141.8
149.9
104.2
160.9
150.0

123.2
121.6
129.4
127.9
115.9
93.4
93.2
140.8
149.2
104.6
159.8
151.8

124.1
122.4
129.5
127.9
118.1
95.1
94.9
141.1
149.5
104.1
160.3
152.8

125.5
124.1
129.5
128.1
120.9
99.5
99.6
141.4
149.5
104.2
160.3
150.3

126.5
125.3
129.4
127.9
123.5
102.9
103.1
141.7
149.5
104.0
160.3
145.0

126.7
125.4
129.0
127.5
125.3
102.7
102.9
141.9
149.7
103.8
160.7
147.3

126.5
125.3
128.9
127.3
126.9
101.6
101.7
142.1
149.6
104.1
160.5
146.2

126.5
125.4
128.7
127.2
128.2
101.6
101.8
142.8
149.1
104.2
159.8
145.2

127.5
126.1
129.6
128.0
129.7
101.5
101.5
143.2
150.8
104.0
162.0
151.4

128.5
127.0
130.9
129.5
130.5
102.0
102.1
143.5
151.6
104.1
163.1
154.9

128.2
126.6
131.7
130.1
129.7
99.9
99.9
143.9
151.9
104.0
163.5
155.5

128.0
126.3
132.1
130.6
128.0
98.4
98.2
144.1
152.8
104.4
164.5
158.0

128.0
126.1
132.4
130.5
126.6
97.7
97.6
145.0
153.0
103.8
164.9
160.8

127.8
125.9
132.4
130.5
127.2
97.1
96.9
145.4
152.4
103.2
164.3
160.6

Hospital and related services ................................................

176.5
175.4
176.7
166.1
193.7

189.6
186.5
190.3
176.3
211.5

186.8
185.1
187.2
173.9
207.3

187.6
186.3
187.9
174.5
208.0

188.2
186.2
188.6
175.2
208.9

188.9
186.5
189.4
175.9
209.8

190.2
187.2
190.9
176.8
212.1

191.2
187.4
192.0
177.7
213.6

191.9
188.0
192.8
178.3
214.6

193.0
188.3
194.0
179.0
216.8

193.8
188.7
195.0
179.7
218.4

194.3
189.4
195.4
180.0
218.9

196.0
190.0
197.3
181.3
221.7

197.6
191.4
199.0
182.3
224.4

198.2
192.1
199.6
183.0
225.0

Entertainment commodities.....................................................
Entertainment services............................................................

136.9
128.0
150.4

140.8
130.7
155.7

139.7
130.0
154.2

140.5
130.8
155.0

140.5
130.6
155.2

140.5
130.8
155.0

141.0
131.3
155.4

141.2
131.2
156.0

141.6
130.9
157.5

141.9
131.1
157.9

142.2
131.7
157.6

142.2
131.5
158.1

142.7
132.3
158.0

142.8
132.3
158.4

143.1
132.5
158.6

Toilet goods and personal care appliances...........................
Personal care services.........................................................
Personal and educational expenses.........................................
School books and supplies...................................................
Personal and educational services........................................

171.7 183.3
202.5 219.7
134.7 138.6
132.9 137.2
136.7 140.0
181.8 194.3
180.2 190.6
182.2 194.9

179.7
213.2
138.1
136.7
139.6
190.8
188.4
191.3

180.3
214.2
138.8
137.7
139.9
191.1
188.5
191.6

181.6
219.1
138.2
136.7
139.8
191.2
188.2
191.7

181.8
219.0
138.1
136.4
140.0
191.8
188.9
192.4

182.7
220.4
139.1
138.2
140.0
192.3
189.0
192.9

184.2
221.6
138.9
137.9
139.9
195.0
189.9
195.7

186.7
224.1
138.8
137.6
140.0
199.0
194.1
199.7

187.7
225.6
139.0
137.5
140.5
200.0
194.9
200.7

187.7
225.1
139.2
137.5
141.0
200.3
195.0
201.1

189.0
229.0
139.9
138.6
141.3
200.5
194.9
201.2

191.2
234.8
139.9
138.3
141.8
201.5
196.7
202.2

191.6
235.5
139.8
137.7
142.2
202.2
196.9
202.9

192.2
236.1
140.8
139.1
142.8
202.6
197.0
203.4

Commodities less food and beverages....................................
Nondurables less food and beverages .................................
Apparel commodities..........................................................
Nondurables less food, beverages, and apparel .................
Durables...............................................................................

134.3
126.2
136.5
119.8
123.2
125.2
125.1
114.1

138.2
128.7
138.3
122.7
126.2
128.3
128.1
116.8

137.0
127.7
138.4
121.1
124.4
129.9
124.6
115.6

137.3
128.1
138.5
121.7
125.1
129.9
125.6
116.1

137.6
128.6
137.9
122.8
126.7
129.6
128.2
116.4

138.1
128.8
137.9
123.1
126.9
127.3
129.7
116.8

138.4
128.6
137.8
123.0
126.6
125.5
130.0
116.9

138.8
129.0
138.5
123.2
126.9
127.0
129.7
117.0

139.1
129.6
138.9
123.9
127.9
129.8
130.0
117.2

139.6
130.0
138.8
124.5
128.6
131.5
130.1
117.9

139.8
130.2
138.8
124.9
128.7
131.1
130.5
118.6

139.8
129.8
139.1
124.1
127.3
127.8
129.9
118.7

140.3
130.0
140.1
123.8
126.8
125.8
130.2
118.5

140.7
130.4
140.2
124.4
128.0
129.5
130.2
118.4

141.1
130.9
140.5
125.0
128.8
132.5
130.0
118.5

Rent of shelter (12/84 = 100)..................................................
Household services less rent of shelter (12/84=100).............
Transportation services...........................................................
Medical care services..............................................................
Other services ........................................................................

144.6
137.0
116.6
149.8
176.7
157.8

150.0
141.6
119.7
154.3
190.3
166.1

148.7
140.8
117.7
153.7
187.2
163.8

148.8
140.7
117.9
154.2
187.9
164.3

149.0
140.7
118.7
153.9
188.6
164.4

149.8
141.4
120.8
153.1
189.4
164.8

150.5
142.1
121.2
153.7
190.9
165.1

150.9
142.5
121.3
153.4
192.0
166.5

151.1
142.2
121.8
153.1
192.8
168.8

151.6
142.8
120.5
155.5
194.0
169.5

151.9
142.9
120.4
156.7
195.0
169.7

152.1
143.0
120.8
157.2
195.4
169.9

153.0
143.9
121.2
158.2
197.3
170.4

153.5
144.5
120.6
159.2
199.0
170.9

153.9
144.8
121.6
158.9
199.6
171.3

Services less rent of shelter (12/84=100)..............................
Services less medical care......................................................
Energy.....................................................................................
All items less energy ...............................................................
All items less food and energy ................................................
Commodities less food and energy.........................................
Energy commodities ...............................................................
Services less energy................................................................

133.8
132.3
126.7
132.2
120.7
124.2
125.9
130.1
135.3
141.7
102.2
138.9
139.6
127.3
99.4
148.2

138.2
135.9
130.3
135.7
123.7
127.4
129.0
132.5
141.0
146.5
102.6
143.2
144.7
131.2
98.5
154.0

136.7 137.1
134.6 135.0
129.2 129.5
134.6 134.8
122.1 122.7
125.6 126.3
125.9 126.9
131.6 132.0
139.2 139.6
145.3 145.3
98.4
99.1
142.4 142.6
143.7 143.9
130.5 130.9
93.4
94.9
152.9 153.0

138.6 138.9
136.0 136.4
130.5 130.9
135.9 136.2
124.0 124.1
127.8 128.0
130.8 130.5
132.4 132.9
141.3 141.7
146.9 147.3
105.6 105.0
143.1 143.6
144.7 145.1
130.8 131.3
101.9 100.8
154.2 154.7

139.3
137.0
131.3
136.6
124.8
129.0
130.8
133.6
142.4
147.5
105.5
144.0
145.5
132.1
100.8
154.8

139.8
137.4
131.7
137.0
125.4
129.6
130.9
133.9
142.7
147.9
104.2
144.6
146.4
132.9
100.9
155.7

140.1 140.0
137.7 137.6
131.9 131.8
137.2 137.2
125.8 125.0
129.7 128.4
131.2 130.7
134.0 133.4
143.2 143.5
148.1 148.4
104.2 103.5
144.9 144.9
146.7 146.6
133.2 132.7
101.4
99.5
156.1 156.3

Purchasing power of the consumer dollar:
1982-84=$1.00.......................................................................
1967=$1.00............................................................................

74.5
25.0

72.4
24.3

71.9
24.1

71.6
24.0

Apparel and upkeep..................................................................
Apparel commodities...............................................................
Men’s and boys’ apparel.......................................................
Infants’ and toddlers’ apparel................................................
Other apparel commodities...................................................
Apparel services......................................................................
Transportation ...........................................................................
Private transportation...............................................................

Other private transportation..................................................
Other private transportation commodities...........................
Other private transportation services..................................
Public transportation................................................................
Medical care commodities.......................................................

Other goods and services .........................................................
Tobacco products...................................................................

Special indexes:
All items less homeowners’ costs (12/84 = 100)......................
All items less medical care......................................................
Nondurables less food and apparel .........................................


https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

73.0
24.5

72.9
24.5

137.6 138.2
135.5 135.9
129.8 130.3
135.2 135.6
123.8 124.1
127.8 128.0
129.1 130.5
132.5 132.7
139.9 140.7
145.5 146.3
102.1 105.7
142.7 142.8
144.1 144.3
131.2 130.9
98.9 102.0
153.1 153.5
72.7
24.4

72.4
24.3

72.3
24.3

72.1
24.2 |

71.5
24.0

71.5
24.0

140.3 140.9 141.3
137.9 138.4 138.8
132.2 132.6 133.1
137.6 138.0 138.4
124.7 125.4 125.9
128.0 129.1 129.9
131.0 131.1 130.9
133.7 134.3 134.9
144.3 144.6 145.0
149.2 149.5 149.9
102.8 101.7 101.9
145.6 146.2 146.7
147.2 148.0 148.5
132.6 133.5 134.3
98.1
97.5
97.0
157.2 158.0 158.3
71.3
23.9

71.1
23.9

Monthly Labor Review May 1993

70.9
23.8

107

Current Labor Statistics:
32.

Price Data

Consumer Price Index: U.S. city average and available local area data: all items

(1982-84 = 100, unless otherwise indicated)

Area1

All Urban Consumers

Pricing
sche­
dule2
Mar.

U.S. city average.................

Urban Wage Earners

1392

1993

1992

1993

Apr.

Nov.

Dec.

Jan.

Feb.

Mar.

Mar.

Apr.

Nov.

Dec.

Jan.

Feb.

Mar.

139.5

142.C

141.9

142.6

143.1

143.6

137.0

137.:

139.8

139.8

140.3

140.7

141.1

M 146.2

146.3

149.0

148.9

149.7

150.4

150.9

144.1

144.2

147.1

146.9

147.6

148.2

148.7

M 146.8

146.8

149.6

149.4

150.3

150.9

151.6

143.6

143.6

146.7

146.6

147.3

147.8

148.4

M 139.3

Region and area size 3

Northeast urban...................
Size A - More than
1,200,000 ..........................
Size B - 500,000 to
1,200,000 ...........................
Size C - 50,000 to
500,000 ..............................
North Central urban ..............
Size A - More than
1,200,000 ...........................
Size B - 360,000 to
1,200,000 ...........................
Size C - 50,000 to
360,000 ..............................
Size D - Nonmetropolitan (less
than 50,0000 ......................
South urban...........................
Size A - More than
1,200,000 ...........................
Size B - 450,000 to
1,200,000 ...........................
Size G - 50,000 to
450,000 ..............................
Size D - Nonmetropolitan (less
than 50,000) .......................
West urban...........................
Size A - More than
1,250,000 ...........................
Size C - 50,000 to
330,000 ..............................
Size classes:
A (12/86 = 100)...................
B .........................................
C ........................................
D ........................................

M 145.7

145.8

148.3

147.6

148.0

148.9

149.3

143.8

144.1

146.4

145.7

146.2

147.0

147.3

M 144.2
M 134.8

144.3
135.1

146.9
137.6

147.2
137.7

148.5
138.1

149.1
138.6

149.1
139.0

146.2
132.2

146.3
132.6

148.8
135.0

149.0
135.1

150.2
135.4

150.7
135.8

150 7
136.2

M 136.0

136.3

138.5

138.9

139.1

139.6

140.1

132.5

132.8

135.2

135.5

135.6

136.1

136.5

M 133.4

133.8

136.1

136.3

137.3

137.3

137.3

130.6

131.0

133.1

133.1

134.1

134.0

134.1

M 136.2

136.4

139.4

139.2

139.3

140.1

140.4

134.3

134.5

137.3

137.1

137.2

138.0

138.2

M 130.0
M 135.5

130.3
135.9

133.4
138.1

132.8
137.9

133.0
138.4

133.6
139.1

134.7
139.7

129.3
134.2

129.7
134.5

132.7
136.9

132.2
136.8

132.3
137.2

132.7
137.6

133 8
138.3

M 136.0

136.1

138.3

138.0

138.9

139.8

140.4

134.4

134.6

136.8

136.6

137.2

138.0

138.5

M 137.0

137.4

139.7

139.8

139.9

140.3

141.6

133.8

134.2

136.8

136.8

136.8

136.9

138.2

M 134.6

135.1

137.3

137.2

137.8

138.1

138.6

134.5

134.9

137.5

137.4

137.9

138.1

138.5

M 133.6
M ' 141.1

134.1
141.3

136.0
143.9

136.4
143.9

136.4
144.7

136.7
145.2

137.0
145.2

133.7
138.7

134.2
139.0

136.4
141.6

136.7
141.5

136.6
142.2

136.8
142.7

137 0
142.7

M 143.0

143.2

145.7

145.8

146.7

147.2

147.2

139.0

139.3

141.8

141.8

142.6

143.1

143.0

M 138.3

138.7

142.2

142.1

142.7

143.1

143.8

136.8

137.1

140.4

140.2

140.8

141.3

141.8

M
M
M
M

126.8
138.8
137.7
134.8

129.0
141.2
140.4
137.1

129.0
141.1
140.4
137.1

129.7
141.5
140.9
137.3

130.3
141.9
141.5
137.7

130.6
142.5
141.8
138.3

125.8
136.3
137.0
134.0

126.0
136.7
137.3
134.3

128.4
139.0
140.1
136.9

128.3
138.9
140.0
136.8

128.8
139.3
140.5
137.0

129.3
139.5
141.0
137.3

129 7
140 1
141 3
137.8

138.9

139.1

139.5

126.7
138.5
137.4
134.4

Selected local areas

Chicago, IL-Northwestern IN ...
Los Angeles-Long
Beach, Anaheim, CA...........
New York, NYNortheastern N J..................
Philadelphia, PA-NJ...............
San FranciscoOakland, CA.........................

M 139.7

139.8

142.4

142.9

143.2

143.6

144.1

135.2

135.4

138.2

138.5

M 145.5

145.8

148.2

148.2

149.2

150.0

149.8

141.0

141.3

143.5

143.5

144.4

145.0

144.8

M 149.1
M 145.4

149.2
145.4

152.2
147.5

151.9
147.5

153.0
147.5

153.6
148.5

154.1
149.3

145.8
145.0

145.9
145.1

149.2
147.6

149.1
147.4

149.9
147.4

150.3
148.6

150 7
149.0

M 141.9

141.6

144.2

144.3

145.1

145.5

145.7

139.9

139.6

142.3

142.3

143.0

143.5

143.8

-

141.1
150.2
137.1
135.9
136.0
146.9

-

142.0
151.8
137.5
137.8
135.9
147.8

_

140.6
149.8
130.8
134.2
135.6
145.1

_
_
_
_

141.3
151.0
130.8
135.9
135.4
145.6

-

141 8
153 8
131 8
137 1
135 5
146.2

_
_

134.1
133.1
129.2
131.4

-

134 8
134.4
131.3
133.2

-

Baltimore, MD.......................
Boston, MA ..........................
Cleveland, OH.......................
Miami, FL..............................
St. Louis, MO-IL....................
Washington, DC-MD-VA ........

1
1
1
1
1
1

138.7
147.9
136.3
134.5
132.6
143.0

Dallas-Ft. Worth, TX..............
Detroit, Ml.............................
Houston, TX ..........................
Pittsburgh, PA .......................

2
2
2
2

-

-

132.5
135.3
128.7
135.1

-

-

134.6
137.1
129.3
137.3

'

1 Area is the Consolidated Metropolitan Statistical Area (CMSA), ex­
clusive of farms and military. Area definitions are those established by
the Office of Management and Budget in 1983, except for BostonLawrence-Salem, MA-NH Area (excludes Monroe County); and Milwau­
kee, Wl Area (includes only the Milwaukee MSA). Definitions do not in­
clude revisions made since 1983.
2 Foods, fuels, and several other items priced every month in all
areas; most other goods and services priced as indicated:.
M - Every month.
1 - January, March, May, July, September, and November.
2 - February, April, June, August, October, and December.

108 Monthly Labor Review May 1993

https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

_
-

“

-

135.4
138.3
131.7
139.2

142.6
153.9
138.8
139.2
136.1
148.5

137.9
147.2
129.7
132.3
132.0
141.3

_

_

-

-

-

-

-

-

_
_
_
_
131.5
131.7
128.4
129.4

-

-

3 Regions are defined as the four Census regions.
- Data not available.
NOTE: Local area CPI indexes are byproducts of the national CPI
program. Because each local index is a small subset of the national in­
dex, it has a smaller sample size and is, therefore, subject to substan­
tially more sampling and other measurement error than the national in­
dex. As a result, local area indexes show greater volatility than the na­
tional index, although their long-term trends are quite similar. Therefore,
the Bureau of Labor Statistics strongly urges users to consider adopting
the national average CPI for use in escalator clauses.

33.

Annual data: Consumer Price Index, U.S. city average, all items and major groups

(1982-84 = 100)
Series
Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers:
All items:
Food and beverages:
Percent change.................... ......................................
Housing:
Index..........................................................................
Percent change..........................................................
Apparel and upkeep:
Index..........................................................................
Percent change..........................................................
Transportation:
Index..........................................................................
Percent change..... .....................................................
Medical care:
Index..........................................................................
Percent change..........................................................
Entertainment:
Index..........................................................................
Other goods and services:

Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and
Clerical Workers:
All items:


https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

1984

1985

1986

1987

1988

1989

1990

1991

1992

103.9
4.3

107.6
3.6

109.6
1.9

113.6
3.6

118.3
4.1

124.0
4.8

130.7
5.4

136.2
4.2

140.3
3.0

103.2
3.7

105.6
2.3

109.1
3.3

113.5
4.0

118.2
4.1

124.9
5.7

132.1
5.8

136.8
3.6

138.7
1.4

103.6
4.1

107.7
4.0

110.9
3.0

114.2
3.0

118.5
3.8

123.0
3.8

128.5
4.5

133.6
4.0

137.5
2.9

102.1
1.9

105.0
2.8

105.9
.9

110.6
4.4

115.4
4.3

118.6
2.8

124.1
4.6

128.7
3.7

131.9
2.5

103.7
4.4

106.4
2.6

102.3
-3.9

105.4
3.0

108.7
3.1

114.1
5.0

120.5
5.6

123.8
2.7

126.5
2.2

106.8
6.2

113.5
6.3

122.0
7.5

130.1
6.6

138.6
6.5

149.3
7.7

162.8
9.0

177.0
8.7

190.1
7.4

103.8
3.7

107.9
3.9

111.6
3.4

115.3
3.3

120.3
4.3

126.5
5.2

132.4
4.7

138.4
4.5

142.3
2.8

107.9
6.7

114.5
6.1

121.4
6.0

128.5
5.8

137.0
6.6

147.7
7.8

159.0
7.7

171.6
7.9

183.3
6.8

103.3
3.5

106.9
3.5

108.6
1.6

112.5
3.6

117.0
4.0

122.6
4.8

129.0
5.2

134.3
4.1

138.2
2.9

Monthly Labor Review May 1993

109

Current Labor Statistics:
34.

Price Data

Producer Price Indexes, by stage of processing

(1982 = 100)
Annual average

1992

1993

Grouping

1991

1992

Apr.

May

June

July

Aug.

Sept.

Oct.

Nov.

Dec.

Jan.

Feb.

Mar.

Finished consumer goods .......................
Finished consumer foods......................
Finished consumer goods excluding
foods ..................................................
Nondurable goods less food ..............
Durable goods ...................................
Capital equipment...................................

121.7
120.5
124.1

123.2
121.7
123.2

122.4
120.7
122.8

123.2
121.7
123.1

123.9
122.6
123.1

123.7
122.4
122.8

123.6
122.2
123.4

123.3
122.2
123.3

124.4
122.9
123.8

124.0
122.4
123.4

123.8
122.1
124.1

124.0
122.3
123.8

124 3
122 6
124.0

124.6

118.7
115.0
123.9
126.7

120.8
117.3
125.7
129.1

119.6
115.7
125.6
129.1

120.9
117.5
125.6
129.0

122.1
119.5
125.2
128.9

122.0
119.2
125.4
128.8

121.5
118.6
125.1
128.9

121.4
119.3
123.4
128.1

122.3
118.9
127.1
130.2

121.7
118.1
127.1
130.2

121.1
117.2
127.0
130.1

121.4
117 7
127.1
130.4

121 8
118 0
127.6
130.9

127 5
130.9

Intermediate materials, supplies, and
com ponents....................................................

114.4

114.7

113.8

114.5

115.4

Materials and components for
manufacturing ........................................
Materials for food manufacturing...........
Materials for nondurable manufacturing .
Materials for durable manufacturing......
Components for manufacturing.............

115.5

115.5

115.8

115.4

115.0

114.9

115.3

115.5

115.9

118.1
115.3
116.7
117.2
121.0

117.9
113.9
115.4
117.2
121.9

117.6
113.6
114.8
117.2
121.8

117.9
114.8
115.0
117.3
122.0

118.2
115.5
115.6
117.6
121.9

118.3
114.8
115.8
117.9
122.0

118.3
114.0
115.9
118.2
122.0

118.4
114.5
116.1
118.1
122.1

118.1
112.9
116.0
117.1
122.2

118.0
112.8
116.0
116.7
122.2

117.9
113.3
115.5
117.1
122.1

1184
113.2
115.7
117.9
122.6

118 7
112 6
115 0
119 0
122.8

122.7

Materials and components for
construction...........................................
Processed fuels and lubricants................
Containers...............................................
Supplies..................................................

124.5
85.3
128.1
121.4

126.5
84.7
127.7
122.7

126.8
80.7
127.8
122.4

126.8
83.6
127.7
122.7

126.5
88.1
127.6
122.7

126.3
88.2
127.7
122.7

126.4
88.0
127.6
122.7

126.8
89.0
127.7
123.0

126.7
87.2
127.8
123.2

126.9
85.0
127.8
123.3

127.8
84.5
127.9
123.3

129.1
83.7
127.8
123.9

130 7
83 3
126.9
124.1

127 0
124.2

101.2
105.5
94.6

100.3
105.1
93.4

98.8
105.5
90.7

101.2
108.4
92.8

102.1
107.4
94.8

101.7
105.0
95.7

100.6
103.7
94.8

102.4
102.9
98.0

101.9
103.7
96.8

101.8
102.8
97.2

100.5
104.4
94.2

101.4
105.2
95.1

101 1
105 6
94.4

108 2
95.1

120.9
78.1
129.1
130.0
131.1

123.1
77.8
131.1
131.8
134.1

122.3
75.4
130.8
131.5
134.0

123.1
77.8
131.1
131.8
134.2

124.0
81.0
131.0
131.8
134.1

123.8
80.4
131.0
131.8
134.2

123.5
80.2
130.9
131.6
133.8

123.2
80.8
130.4
131.3
133.2

124.5
80.0
132.0
132.6
135.2

124.1
78.4
131.9
132.5
135.2

123.6
76.5
132.2
132.9
135.3

123.9
76.6
132.4
133.1
135.7

124.3
76.9
132.7
133 4
136.2

133.7

137.2

137.0

137.5

137.3

137.5

136.8

136.4

138.2

138.3

138.6

139.0

139.4

139.4

140.8

145.8

145.4

146.3

146.4

146.6

145.6

146.3

146.4

146.6

147.1

147.9

148.2

148.2

109 7

Finished goods .............................................

Crude materials for further processing ...

Foodstuffs and feedstuffs ......................
Crude nonfood materials........................

124 6

122 1

Special groupings:

Finished goods, excluding foods .............
Finished energy goods............................
Finished goods less energy ....................
Finished consumer goods less energy....
Finished goods less food and energy......
Finished consumer goods less food
and energy ............................................
Consumer nondurable goods less food
and energy ............................................

124 5
77 6
132 9
136.2

Intermediate materials less foods and
feeds .....................................................
Intermediate foods and feeds..................
Intermediate energy goods......................
Intermediate goods less energy ..............
Intermediate materials less foods and
energy...................................................

114.6
111.1
85.1
120.8

114.9
110.7
84.5
121.3

114.0
110.4
80.6
121.1

114.7
111.5
83.4
121.3

115.6
112.3
87.8
121.4

115.7
111.2
88.0
121.4

115.8
110.3
87.8
121.5

116.1
111.0
88.7
121.7

115.7
109.7
87.0
121.5

115.2
109.6
84.9
121.5

115.2
110.7
84.3
121.6

115.5
110.8
83.6
122.2

115 9
109.7
83 2
122.6

123.0

121.4

121.9

121.8

121.9

122.0

122.1

122.2

122.4

122.3

122.3

122.3

122.9

123.5

123.8

Crude energy materials...........................
Crude materials less energy....................
Crude nonfood materials less energy......

80.4
110.9
128.2

78.7
110.7
128.4

75.0
111.2
129.1

77.4
113.5
129.7

80.1
112.6
129.2

81.0
111.1
130.0

79.7
110.3
130.8

83.8
109.7
130.4

82.9
109.7
128.2

83.8
108.7
127.1

79.2
110.6
129.6

79.2
112.3
133.9

77 2
113 5
137.3

77 8

35.

138.4

Producer Price indexes, by durability of product

(1982 = 100)
Annual average
Grouping

1991

1992

Apr.

May

June

July

Aug.

Sept.

Oct.

Nov.

Dec.

Jan.

Feb.

Mar.

Total durable goods....
Total nondurable goods

122.9
111.7

124.3
111.9

124.3

124.4

110.6

124.3
113.1

124.4
112.7

124.1
113.5

125.0
113.1

124.8

112.0

124.3
113.3

125.0

112.6

112.2

125.5
112.5

126.1
112.5

126.3
113.1

Total manufactures
Durable..............
Nondurable ........

119.0
122.7
115.2

120.1

119.7
124.2
115.1

120.3
124.2
116.3

120.6

124.3
115.8

124.2
117.0

120.5
124.2
116.7

120.4
124.3
116.4

120.4
124.0
116.8

120.9
125.0
116.8

120.8

124.9
116.6

120.5
125.0
116.0

120.9
125.4
116.4

121.4
126.0
116.9

126.3
117.3

Total raw or slightly processed goods
Durable...........................................
Nondurable ....................................

104.4
132.2
103.0

103.7
128.0
102.5

101.2

103.1
130.2
101.7

105.5
129.1
104.2

105.6
130.4
104.3

105.1
131.6
103.8

106.4
129.2
105.2

105.2
125.7
104.1

104.1
123.4
103.0

104.1
125.5
103.0

104.2
129.9
102.9

103.4
131.9

104.2
129.9

102.0

102.8

110 Monthly Labor Review May 1993

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130.2
99.7

121.8

36.

Producer price indexes for the net output of major industry groups

(December 1984=100, unless otherwise indicated)
1992

Annual
1991

1992

Apr.

May

June

July

Aug.

Sept.

Oct.

Nov.

Dec.

Jan.

Feb.

Mar.

10
11

78.4
82.2
105.5

76.8
76.7
105.6

73.4
74.6
105.5

75.1
76.2
104.9

76.3
77.3
104.9

78.2
79.3
105.1

77.4
81.4
105.2

80.8
79.2
105.9

79.7
77.4
105.9

82.0
74.3
105.6

78.4
75.0
105.5

78.8
73.5
105.5

75.8
72.5
105.6

75.7
70.2
105.6

12
13

96.3
77.9

94.0
76.3

94.1
71.8

94.7
73.9

94.4
75.5

94.2
78.1

94.2
76.9

93.6
81.8

93.9
80.3

93.7
83.7

94.0
78.6

93.1
79.5

93.5
75.2

93.4
75.3

14

116.3

117.4

117.6

117.7

117.7

117.8

117.8

117.6

117.4

117.3

117.5

118.2

117.9

118.0

20
21
22

115.9
116.5
207.5
112.5

117.3
116.9
230.2
113.6

116.9
116.5
227.9
113.5

117.6 117.9
117.3 117.5
236.2 236.3
113.8 114.0

117.8
117.2
236.4
113.8

117.6
117.1
222.8
113.8

117.6
117.2
230.3
113.8

118.3
117.0
230.4
113.8

118.2
116.8
232.3
113.7

117.9
117.3
239.3
113.5

118.3
117.4
244.7
113.6

118.8
117.5
244.8
113.5

119.2
117.7
244.8
113.5

23

116.0

118.0

117.7

117.5

117.6

118.0

118.2

118.3

118.5

118.7

118.8

119.0

119.1

119.0

129.0
123.2
121.5

131.5
123.3
121.8

131.3
123.1
121.5

131.8
123.5
121.5

134.8
123.6
121.2

139.0
123.8
120.6

144.9
124.4
120.8

151.1
124.6
121.0

140.9
126.5
83.5
114.3
127.7
113.0
112.6

141.3
126.6
84.5
114.5
127.2
113.0
112.0

142.0
126.8
84.6
114.7
127.1
113.0
111.2

142.1
126.9
83.1
114.8
127.1
113.2
110.6

142.1
126.5
77.4
114.7
127.6
113.4
110.6

143.6
127.1
77.2
116.0
128.6
113.7
110.7

144.2
127.3
78.1
116.0
128.2
114.1
111.0

144.9
127.0
79.8
115.1
128.4
114.4
110.9

117.6

117.6

117.8

Total mining industries

Metal mining.............................................
Anthracite mining (12/85=100) ................
Bituminous coal and lignite mining
(12/85-100).........................................
Oil and gas extraction (12/85=100).........
Mining and quarrying of nonmetallic
minerals, except fuels............................
Total manufacturing industries

Food and kindred products.......................
Tobacco manufactures.............................
Textile mill products.................................
Apparel and other finished products
made from fabrics and similar
materials.................................................
Lumber and wood products, except
furniture..................................................
Furniture and fixtures................................
Paper and allied products .........................
Printing, publishing, and allied
industries................................................
Chemicals and allied products..................
Petroleum refining and related products...
Rubber and miscellaneous plastic products
Leather and leather products ...................
Stone, clay, glass, and concrete products ..
Primary metal industries ...........................
Fabricated metal products, except
machinery and transportation
equipment..............................................
Machinery, except electrical......................
Electrical and electronic machinery,
equipment, and supplies.........................
Transportation equipment.........................
Measuring and controlling instruments;
photographic, medical, optical goods;
watches, clocks......................................
Miscellaneous manufacturing industries
(12/85-100).........................................

24
25
26

119.4
121.6
121.1

129.6
122.9
121.2

130.0
122.8
122.0

130.1
122.9
122.0

129.1
122.5
121.8

128.4
123.0
121.5

27
28
29
30
31
32
33

136.4
124.4
83.1
113.7
124.8
112.3
113.1

140.7
125.8
80.3
114.2
126.9
112.8
111.7

140.2
125.1
77.2
113.8
126.3
112.4
112.0

140.6
125.5
81.9
114.0
126.8
112.5
111.9

140.4
126.0
85.7
114.1
127.4
112.6
112.2

140.7
126.5
84.2
114.3
126.8
112.7
112.5

34

116.6

117.2

117.2

117.2

117.1

117.2

117.3

117.3

117.5

117.5

117.6

116.7

116.5

116.6

116.6

116.5

116.6

116.6

35

116.4

116.7

116.9

116.9

116.9

117.1

116.9

36
37

110.1
119.8

110.8
123.0

111.0
122.8

110.8
122.7

110.8
122.6

110.8
122.7

110.8
122.3

110.8
120.5

110.9
124.8

111.0
124.8

111.0
124.6

111.2
124.9

111.6
125.5

111.6
125.6

38

116.8

118.6

117.9

118.3

118.5

118.6

118.8

118.9

119.4

119.7

119.5

119.9

120.6

120.7

39

117.5

119.4

119.2

119.4

119.5

119.6

119.8

120.1

120.3

120.0

120.0

120.7

120.7

120.7

46

96.1

96.4

96.3

96.4

96.5

96.6

96.6

96.6

96.5

96.5

96.5

96.5

96.5

96.5

Service industries:

Pipelines, except natural gas (12/86=100)

37.

1993

SIC

Industry

Annua! data: Producer Price Indexes, by stage of processing

(1982 = 100)
Index
Finished goods:

Consumer goods ..........................................
Capital equipment .........................................
Intermediate materials, supplies, and
components:

Total ................................................................
Materials and components for
manufacturing..............................................
Materials and components for construction ....
Processed fuels and lubricants .....................
Containers....................................................
Supplies........................................................

1984

1985

1986

1987

1988

1989

1990

1991

1992

103.7
103.3
105.2

104.7
103.8
107.5

103.2
101.4
109.7

105.4
103.6
111.7

108.0
106.2
114.3

113.6
112.1
118.8

119.2
118.2
122.9

121.7
120.5
126.7

123.2
121.7
129.1

103.1

102.7

99.1

101.5

107.1

112.0

114.5

114.4

114.7

104.1
105.6
95.7
105.9
104.1

103.3
107.3
92.8
109.0
104.4

102.2
108.1
72.7
110.3
105.6

105.3
109.8
73.3
114.5
107.7

113.2
116.1
71.2
120.1
113.7

118.1
121.3
76.4
125.4
118.1

118.7
122.9
85.9
127.7
119.4

118.1
124.5
85.3
128.1
121.4

117.9
126.5
84.7
127.7
122.7

103.5
104.7
102.2
105.1

95.8
94.8
96.9
102.7

87.7
93.2
81.6
92.2

93.7
96.2
87.9
84.1

96.0
106.1
85.5
82.1

103.1
111.2
93.4
85.3

108.9
113.1
101.5
84.8

101.2
105.5
94.6
82.9

100.3
105.1
93.4
83.6

Crude materials for further processing:

Foodstuffs and feedstuffs .............................
Nonfood materials except fuel ......................
Fuel ..............................................................


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

Monthly Labor Review May 1993

111

Current Labor Statistics:
38.

Price Data

U.S. export price indexes by Standard International Trade Classification

(1985 = 100, unless otherwise indicated)
Category

1974
SITC

Beverages and to b a c c o ...................................................................................

Tobacco and tobacco products.............................................................
Crude m aterials...................................................................................................

Raw hides and skins.............................................................................
Oilseeds...............................................................................................
Crude rubber........................................................................................
Wood....................................................................................................
Pulp and waste paper...........................................................................
Textile fibers.........................................................................................
Crude minerals......................................................................................
Metal ores and metal scrap..................................................................
Fuels and related products .............................................................................

Coal and coke ......................................................................................
Crude petroleum and petroleum products.............................................
Fats and o ils .........................................................................................................

Animal oils and fa ts..............................................................................
Fixed vegetable oils and fats................................................................
Chemicals and related p ro d u c ts ....................................................................

Organic chemicals................................................................................
Dyeing, tanning, and coloring materials.................................................
Medicinal and pharmaceutical products (12/85 = 100) ..........................
Essential oils, polish, and cleaning preparations...................................
Fertilizers, manufactured ......................................................................
Artificial resins, plastics and cellulose...................................................
Chemical materials and products, n.e.s..................................................
Intermediate manufactured p ro d u c ts ...........................................................

Leather and furskins.............................................................................
Rubber manufactures ...........................................................................
Paper and paperboard products ...........................................................
Textiles.................................................................................................
Non-metallic mineral manufactures (9/85—100)...................................
Iron and steel.......................................................................................
Nonferrous metals................................................................................
Metal manufactures, n.e.s......................................................................
Machinery and transport equipment, excluding military and
commercial a irc ra ft......................................................................................

Power generating machinery and equipment.........................................
Machinery specialized for particular industries.......................................
Metalworking machinery.......................................................................
General industrial machines and parts, n.e.s..........................................
Office machines and automatic data processing equipment ..................
Telecommunications, sound recording and reproducing equipment.......
Electrical machinery and equipment......................................................
Road vehicles and parts ......................................................................
Other transport equipment, excluding military and commercial
aviation..............................................................................................
Miscellaneous manufactured articles............................................................

1991

1992

Sept.

Dec.

Mar.

June

Sept.

Dec.

Mar.

June

Sept.

Dec.

113.3

114.3

114.9

115.1

114.7

114.2

114.4

114.9

115.3

115.3

115.0

0
01
03
04
05
08
09

108.8
123.7
126.9
101.8
115.2
118.4
110.2

102.2
124.3
129.9
90.5
111.5
120.2
110.0

99.1
128.7
127.5
84.3
110.7
124.9
111.4

102.4
129.3
126.8
86.9
128.5
125.6
110.1

105.1
128.0
122.1
90.8
137.2
121.2
110.8

104.1
129.6
113.5
90.8
127.8
127.6
110.0

106.6
125.9
121.7
96.3
118.2
128.5
110.2

110.7
131.7
131.6
102.6
119.8
123.6
109.5

107.3
133.3
126.5
98.2
113.0
123.9
110.5

104.9
131.4
123.5
92.8
113.8
127.3
111.3

104.3
134.0
116.9
92.0
116.6
125.9
111.6

1
12

124.5
124.9

125.6
126.0

129.0
129.2

131.9
132.1

132.6
132.8

133.4
133.4

135.8
135.9

136.6
136.6

137.6
137.7

138.8
139.0

140.1
140.3

2
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28

137.3
162.0
110.4
115.5
179.2
174.3
124.5
99.7
142.6

137.8
150.0
117.4
116.4
173.9
168.0
122.2
100.0
150.7

134.5
142.3
117.2
119.4
168.5
167.1
121.5
100.1
139.4

134.3
129.5
118.0
122.7
171.4
162.3
126.8
101.0
137.7

130.3
125.6
112.9
120.3
171.9
150.8
129.7
100.7
127.2

125.3
110.4
111.1
122.8
174.1
137.3
118.4
98.2
124.4

122.4
123.7
106.3
120.8
173.7
136.6
108.0
98.4
117.5

124.3
121.4
108.2
118.7
184.8
138.3
103.2
99.3
122.5

127.6
124.5
111.8
117.7
193.4
143.7
104.3
99.3
121.5

128.4
127.5
104.7
119.6
210.5
146.5
99.7
99.1
122.5

127.7
133.7
104.8
119.5
219.5
137.5
99.1
95.3
117.1

3
32
33

88.7
97.5
108.7

103.3
97.9
146.0

106.5
98.0
149.8

91.2
97.7
112.1

87.5
96.1
103.7

87.4
96.1
103.9

88.4
96.2
106.0

80.8
95.1
89.6

84.2
94.3
100.0

85.3
93.7
103.2

84.2
94.3
99.4

4
41
42

94.6
84.0
101.7

90.8
76.6
100.4

92.9
89.6
94.3

89.6
82.8
93.9

86.2
80.4
89.5

86.8
84.4
87.2

84.3
82.7
83.9

84.1
82.1
83.9

87.1
86.1
86.2

87.5
95.0
79.5

90.8
97.1
84.1

5
51
53
54
55
56
57
58

115.5
118.6
119.7
110.0
126.8
102.8
115.8
113.7

119.1
125.6
120.6
110.2
127.1
107.5
121.4
115.8

124.0
132.7
125.5
110.9
127.5
114.5
131.2
118.4

122.6
127.3
127.7
110.6
127.7
116.2
126.7
120.7

118.1
118.2
128.8
110.8
127.9
111.0
117.6
119.1

116.2
111.9
129.7
112.6
128.7
108.0
116.4
117.9

115.3
111.9
128.5
112.8
128.3
98.8
116.5
117.7

115.1
111.8
129.3
114.0
130.4
99.0
114.4
118.5

115.4
114.4
129.4
114.7
131.2
94.8
114.9
118.6

115.1
116.1
132.0
114.7
129.9
89.9
115.4
119.1

113.5
112.7
133.2
114.9
129.8
88.1
114.1
119.2

6
61
62
64
65
66
67
68
69

123.0
126.0
114.4
130.3
118.3
126.9
117.4
132.6
117.1

123.6
125.0
115.6
131.1
118.4
126.8
117.1
135.9
117.4

123.4
122.8
118.4
131.4
119.5
128.1
117.8
129.5
118.3

123.7
122.2
120.5
130.8
122.2
128.9
118.9
123.4
119.9

123.3
118.1
121.5
130.2
123.7
128.9
119.1
116.5
120.5

122.9
115.9
121.8
129.1
123.1
129.0
119.2
115.7
120.8

122.9
115.3
122.3
129.4
123.5
130.1
119.2
112.6
121.3

123.5
113.7
122.1
129.1
125.3
130.4
118.4
114.8
121.5

124.0
112.7
122.1
128.8
125.5
131.8
119.2
116.3
121.6

124.5
114.5
122.9
128.1
125.9
132.0
119.7
116.4
122.4

124.3
113.8
123.3
127.5
126.3
132.3
120.0
112.6
123.4

7
71
72
73
74
75
76
77
78

110.1
117.2
113.2
121.1
118.2
94.6
111.2
107.5
111.0

110.5
117.6
114.2
121.2
119.0
94.5
111.8
107.2
111.5

111.1
118.5
115.7
124.2
119.6
93.3
112.4
107.5
112.8

112.8
121.5
116.8
126.7
122.2
93.5
115.1
107.6
113.7

113.5
123.0
117.8
129.4
122.9
92.7
118.2
108.2
114.1

114.0
123.9
117.9
129.7
123.8
91.6
119.9
110.1
114.4

114.3
124.6
118.5
130.3
123.8
90.6
121.0
110.9
115.2

114.8
126.4
119.5
131.9
125.6
90.0
119.4
112.2
115.3

115.2
128.7
120.4
132.6
125.8
89.2
120.4
111.4
115.9

115.4
128.5
121.0
132.6
126.3
88.5
120.8
111.9
116.1

115.4
128.9
121.8
132.4
127.0
87.0
120.7
111.5
116.7

79

121.3

122.5

124.2

133.5

136.5

137.0

137.0

135.6

137.3

138.6

139.1

8
82

116.4
122.2

118.1
122.0

120.0
124.4

121.4
126.6

122.4
127.5

122.8
127.6

123.5
127.3

124.3
128.6

124.8
128.2

125.0
127.7

125.1
128.2

ALL COMMODITIES ............................................................................................

Meat and meat preparations.................................................................
Fish and crustaceans............................................................................
Grain and grain preparations.................................................................
Vegetables and fruit..............................................................................
Animal feeds, excluding unmilled cereals..............................................
Miscellaneous food products................................................................

1990
June

Furniture and parts...............................................................................
Professional, scientific, and controlling instruments and
apparatus...........................................................................................
Photographic apparatus and supplies, optical goods, watches, and
clocks................................................................................................

87

124.8

127.6

130.4

131.9

133.7

134.0

135.2

136.6

137.2

137.0

137.3

88

97.6

99.1

101.6

102.0

101.8

101.6

102.6

102.5

101.5

102.3

102.9

Miscellaneous manufactured articles, n.e.s.............................................

89

112.6

113.3

114.1

116.1

116.3

117.0

116.8

117.3

118.4

119.0

118.7

112 Monthly Labor Review May 1993

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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

39.

U.S. import price indexes by Standard International Trade Classification

(1985 = 100, unless otherwise indicated)
Category

1974
SITO

Meat and meat preparations...............................................................
Dairy products and eggs ....................................................................
Fish and crustaceans.........................................................................
Bakery goods, pasta products, grain, and grain preparations..............
Fruits and vegetables.........................................................................
Sugar, sugar preparations, and honey.................................................
Coffee, tea, cocoa..............................................................................
Beverages and to b a c c o ....................................................................................

Beverages..........................................................................................
Crude m a te ria ls ...................................................................................................

Crude rubber (including synthetic and reclaimed)................................
Cork and wood ..................................................................................
Pulp and waste paper........................................................................
Textile fibers.......................................................................................
Crude fertilizers and crude minerals ...................................................
Metalliferous ores and metal scrap.....................................................
Crude animal and vegetable materials, n.e.s........................................
Fuels and related p ro d u cts............................................................................

Crude petroleum and petroleum products............................................
Fats and o ils .........................................................................................................

Fixed vegetable oils and fats (9/87—100) .........................................
Chemicals and related p ro d u c ts ....................................................................

Organic chemicals..............................................................................
Inorganic chemicals............................................................................
Medicinal and pharmaceutical products..............................................
Essential oils and perfumes...............................................................
Manufactured fertilizers.......................................................................
Artificial resins and plastics and cellulose ..........................................
Chemical materials and products, n.e.s...............................................
Intermediate manufactured products ...........................................................

Leather and furskins ..........................................................................
Rubber manufactures, n.e.s.................................................................
Cork and wood manufactures.............................................................
Paper and paperboard products.........................................................
Textiles..............................................................................................
Nonmetallic mineral manufactures, n.e.s..............................................
Iron and steel.....................................................................................
Nonferrous metals..............................................................................
Metal manufactures............................................................................
Machinery and transport equipment ...........................................................

Machinery (including SITC 71-77) .......................................................
Machinery specialized for particular industries....................................
Metalworking machinery.....................................................................
General industrial machinery and parts, n.e.s.......................................
Office machines and automatic data processing equipment................
Telecommunications, sound recording and reproducing apparatus.....
Electrical machinery and equipment...................................................
Road vehicles and parts.....................................................................
Miscellaneous manufactured articles............................................................

Plumbing, heating, and lighting fixtures...............................................
Furniture and parts.............................................................................
Travel goods, handbags, and similar goods (6/85=100) ...................
Clothing..............................................................................................
Footwear............................................................................................
Professional, scientific, and controlling instruments and
apparatus........................................................................................
Photographic apparatus and supplies, optical goods, watches, and
clocks...............................................................................................
Miscellaneous manufactured articles, n.e.s..........................................

1991

1992

Dec.

Mar.

June

Sept.

Dec.

Mar.

June

Sept.

Dec.

128.8
132.6

124.5
133.5

122.4
131.7

122.3
131.3

123.5
132.9

123.1
133.7

124.3
133.4

125.7
135.0

123.8
133.7

0
01
02
03
04
05
06
07

116.2
138.9
137.7
137.3
158.8
131.1
118.4
65.7

116.2
139.4
133.5
141.9
157.6
127.8
114.0
65.8

116.1
144.1
131.6
140.4
148.2
132.4
113.2
62.1

114.8
137.8
132.1
139.1
147.7
133.0
113.4
61.7

116.1
133.7
133.8
139.3
154.5
138.5
113.4
61.9

118.3
132.3
133.7
140.7
153.3
156.0
113.2
56.6

111.0
129.5
133.6
140.7
152.6
130.1
111.6
51.5

111.8
128.6
138.8
143.0
162.2
129.6
112.1
51.3

111.8
126.3
131.9
139.3
154.9
126.7
108.6
60.4

1
11

132.9
133.8

140.5
142.2

142.5
143.8

142.3
143.1

144.0
144.8

145.4
146.1

145.9
146.8

147.4
148.7

145.5
146.3

2
23
24
25
26
27
28
29

123.9
101.8
106.4
166.0
113.7
98.8
153.6
114.9

123.0
103.5
108.5
152.6
105.6
99.6
153.5
120.8

123.9
101.1
121.0
141.1
108.7
98.8
149.2
117.1

119.2
99.8
114.9
126.8
107.7
94.6
149.6
116.1

118.8
99.5
117.3
123.6

123.3
101.7
130.0
127.6

123.8
103.6
131.3
132.7

125.9
105.3
133.0
138.6

125.2
106.0
136.5
131.9

89.8
148.5
120.3

87.9
148.1
121.9

87.1
145.3
121.1

87.3
147.1
122.9

83.1
144.5
128.0

3
33

108.2
111.0

76.6
77.3

72.5
73.5

74.1
75.3

73.7
74.5

66.2
67.0

75.5
77.0

76.0
77.2

71.5
72.1

4
42

95.9
97.5

97.9
99.4

97.3
98.2

103.8
106.1

120.6
124.8

131.6
137.0

128.5
133.6

122.3
127.1

119.3
123.4

5
51
52
54
55
56
58
59

123.2
121.0
89.0
158.0
137.3
136.8
133.4
139.4

122.9
117.7
89.8
157.3
135.4
143.5
136.0
138.6

120.9
114.0
88.6
154.5
135.3
143.0
135.9
136.1

120.3
111.1
86.8
157.3
139.2
142.4
135.3
136.5

120.7
112.2
83.9
163.4
138.1
138.6
134.0
139.3

121.4
112.1
84.4
165.0
141.4
135.6
134.7
145.3

122.1
111.9
83.2
165.7
143.0
139.7
137.2
150.1

122.9
111.5
82.9
170.4
143.4
137.1
136.9
156.1

122.5
109.2
87.7
170.0
143.2
134.4
136.3
153.1

6
61
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
69

136.4
146.6
117.1
142.6
122.5
130.5
162.3
126.2
142.3
137.7

137.0
146.3
116.7
140.6
125.1
132.7
165.2
125.8
139.7
138.8

134.7
142.5
116.5
141.8
122.0
131.3
165.5
125.4
129.3
137.7

133.5
139.6
116.1
143.5
119.8
133.3
165.7
124.2
124.2
136.9

133.8
140.8
117.3
144.2
119.2
135.4
167.2
124.6
120.5
138.9

134.4
140.9
118.3
150.4
115.5
136.2
167.7
123.8
125.4
140.0

134.9

135.9

_

133.5

118.2
155.4
113.7
135.1
169.0
123.3
128.7
140.2

119.8
159.0
114.5
138.9
170.6
121.6
128.8
142.8

119.2
154.5
114.4
136.7
169.8
121.7
118.9
140.5

7
7hyb
72
73
74
75
76
77
78

134.5
133.0
171.7
156.9
163.5
116.1
110.6
130.8
134.9

136.0
133.6
174.4
158.1
165.0
115.0
109.4
132.6
137.5

133.9
130.6
166.0
152.5
159.0
112.7
108.7
130.2
136.3

134.0
130.1
165.6
152.6
159.2
111.4
108.0
129.5
137.1

136.0
132.1
170.3
156.9
163.7
111.7
108.5
131.5
139.0

136.4
132.4
171.9
157.3
164.1
112.0
108.1
131.2
139.3

136.4
132.5
172.0
157.6
164.2
110.8
108.0
132.2
139.0

138.0
134.7
180.7
161.5
169.1
111.2
108.1
133.5
139.9

136.9
132.6
174.0
159.4
166.0
110.3
108.5
131.4
140.2

8
81
82
83
84
85

135.9
145.8
142.6
121.0
121.6
142.6

136.1
140.7
142.8
117.7
121.5
142.8

134.2
140.2
140.3
114.0
120.7
140.3

134.5
140.1
139.9
111.1
121.3
139.9

136.6
141.9
140.9
112.2
122.0
140.9

138.1
143.4
141.7
112.1
123.2
141.7

138.4
145.2
142.6
111.9
124.3
142.6

140.8
147.4
144.8
111.5
124.0
144.8

139.1
145.7
141.4
109.2
123.9
141.4

ALL COMMODITIES ...........................................................................................
ALL COMMODITIES, EXCLUDING FU E LS .................................................
Food and live anim als........................................................................................

1990

-

_

_

_

_

_

_

87

158.2

160.1

152.5

151.9

156.2

156.2

155.9

165.3

160.7

88
89

138.6
143.5

139.0
143.5

134.7
142.8

135.1
143.1

138.4
146.8

139.3
149.5

138.4
148.5

143.3
151.5

141.1
150.0

- Data not available.


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

Monthly Labor Review May 1993

113

Current Labor Statistics:
40.

Price Data

U.S. export price indexes by end-use category

(1985 = 100 unless otherwise indicated)
1991

1990

1992

Category

Mar.

Dec.

June

Sept.

Dec.

Mar.

June

Sept.

Dec.

Foods, feeds, and beverages................................................................
Industrial supplies and materials...........................................................
Capital goods................................................................................. ......
Automotive ...........................................................................................

101.4
123.5
111.8
113.4

104.3
119.9
113.7
114.3

105.7
116.6
114.6
114.9

104.7
114.3
115.1
115.1

105.9
113.6
115.3
116.0

109.7
112.6
115.9
116.5

107.6
114.0
116.3
116.9

104.1
115.5
116.4
117.2

103.7
114.3
116.3
117.8

Consumer goods..................................................................................
Consumer nondurables, manufactured, except rugs...........................
Consumer durables, manufactured .....................................................
Agricultural (9/88=100) .....................................................................

121.4
116.1
121.7
104.4

122.9
117.5
123.4
106.5

123.5
118.1
124.1
107.9

124.3
118.5
125.2
105.8

125.1
118.8
126.2
106.2

126.1
119.3
127.6
108.5

126.9
119.6
128.6
107.6

127.5
120.5
129.1
105.6

128.3
121.5
129.8
105.7

All exports, excluding agricultural (9/88=100).........................................

116.9

116.7

116.0

115.6

115.8

115.9

116.6

117.1

116.7

41.

U.S. import price indexes by end-use category

(1985 = 100)
1991

1990
Category

Mar.

Dec.

1992
Sept.

June

Dec.

Mar.

June

Sept.

Dec.

All imports, excluding petroleum (6/88=100) ..........................................

132.0

132.9

131.1

130.7

132.3

133.1

132.7

134.3

133.1

Foods, feeds, and beverages................................................................
Industrial supplies and materials...........................................................
Petroleum and petroleum products, excluding natural g as...................
Industrial supplies and materials, excluding petroleum........................

116.3
118.7
110.9
125.3

117.4
103.8
77.2
125.6

117.6
100.7
73.2
123.2

116.9
100.3
75.0
120.9

119.0
99.9
74.3
120.8

121.4
96.9
66.7
121.6

115.2
101.6
76.5
122.0

115.4
102.2
76.9
122.8

114.6
99.2
71.6
121.5

Capital goods, except automotive..........................................................
Automotive vehicles, parts and engines................................................

139.3
133.3

140.3
135.7

136.8
134.4

136.5
135.0

139.0
136.9

139.4
137.1

139.4
136.8

142.3
138.1

140.2
137.4

Consumer goods except automotive.....................................................
Nondurables, manufactured................................................................
Durables, manufactured......................................................................

135.5
135.2
132.9

135.6
135.2
132.5

134.5
134.1
131.4

134.9
134.9
131.4

136.7
136.4
133.6

138.1
137.9
134.9

138.5
138.9
135.0

140.3
141.3
136.0

139.5
139.8
135.5

42.

U.S. export price indexes by Standard Industrial Classification 1

(1985 = 100)
1991

1990

1992

Industry group

Dec.

Mar.

June

Sept.

Dec.

Mar.

June

Sept.

Dec.

Manufacturing:
Food and kindred products.............................................
Lumber and wood products, except furniture...................
Furniture and fixtures......................................................
Paper and allied products ...............................................
Chemicals and allied products.........................................

115.3
162.5
122.1
128.9
125.5

113.9
165.5
124.1
126.5
124.6

112.1
167.4
124.4
123.9
120.1

110.3
169.1
124.4
119.4
118.2

113.5
168.7
124.8
118.9
117.2

114.5
179.1
126.4
119.8
117.3

114.2
186.4
126.5
121.5
117.4

115.6
201.5
126.3
122.7
117.1

115.7
209.9
126.6
118.2
115.2

Petroleum and coal products..........................................
Primary metal products...................................................
Machinery, except electrical ...........................................
Electrical machinery........................................................
Transportation equipment................................................
Scientific instruments; optical goods; clocks...................

118.5
119.7
107.5
109.0
118.5
126.5

88.3
115.5
108.9
110.0
121.9
127.6

81.3
111.6
109.2
111.0
123.3
129.0

81.8
110.6
109.1
112.5
123.7
129.2

83.8
109.9
108.9
113.2
124.6
130.4

70.9
109.6
109.5
113.8
124.5
131.9

77.8
109.6
109.6
113.4
125.5
132.3

81.3
110.0
109.7
113.9
126.2
132.7

78.4
108.2
109.4
113.5
126.8
133.3

1 SIC-based classification.

114 Monthly Labor Review May 1993

https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

43.

U.S. import price indexes by Standard Industrial Classification 1

(1985 = 100)
1990

1991

1992

Industry group
Dec.

Mar.

June

Sept.

Dec.

Mar.

June

Sept.

Dec.

Manufacturing:
Food and kindred products...................................................
Textile mill products..............................................................
Apparel and related products ................................................
Lumber and wood products, except furniture.........................

122.6
146.8
122.2
120.0

123.8
148.4
122.1
120.9

124.4
146.4
121.4
128.7

123.5
148.9
122.1
125.0

128.0
150.2
122.8
127.0

128.0
152.1
124.2
136.4

126.4
150.7
125.1
138.9

126.5
154.6
127.5
140.4

122.9
151.3
128.3
141.5

Furniture and fixtures............................................................
Paper and allied products .....................................................
Chemicals and allied products...............................................
Petroleum refining and allied products...................................
Rubber and miscellaneous plastics products.........................

136.6
125.8
124.6
203.5
127.4

137.2
126.1
126.7
148.9
128.9

135.5
121.6
124.5
137.9
127.7

135.9
117.4
123.8
138.8
127.8

136.7
116.2
124.4
143.2
129.7

137.7
113.9
124.9
125.9
131.0

138.1
113.5
124.9
138.3
131.7

141.0
115.3
125.5
142.0
134.2

138.1
113.7
125.4
133.8
133.1

Leather and leather products ................................................
Stone, clay, glass, and concrete products.............................
Primary metal products.........................................................
Fabricated metal products.....................................................
Machinery, except electrical..................................................

135.6
157.8
126.5
147.4
149.7

135.9
159.3
124.7
148.6
150.5

133.9
158.7
120.5
147.0
145.9

133.7
158.5
117.5
146.5
145.6

134.4
160.4
116.5
148.7
148.5

135.1
161.4
117.6
149.4
149.2

136.3
163.6
117.8
149.8
148.7

138.3
165.3
117.3
152.3
152.9

135.8
166.1
114.0
150.1
149.7

Electrical machinery and supplies.........................................
Transportation equipment......................................................
Scientific instruments; optical goods; clocks..........................
Miscellaneous manufactured commodities ............................

118.6
137.7
146.5
147.6

119.0
140.3
147.4
147.4

117.2
139.1
141.3
147.7

116.5
139.9
141.3
147.9

117.7
142.5
144.9
151.4

117.4
143.0
146.4
154.2

117.8
142.8
145.9
153.3

118.8
144.0
152.5
154.0

117.7
144.7
149.9
152.4

1 SIC - based classification.

44.

indexes of productivity, hourly compensation, and unit costs, quarterly data seasonally adjusted

(1982 = 100)
Quarterly Indexes
Item

1990
II

1991

III

IV

I

II

1992
III

IV

I

II

III

IV

Business:
Output per hour of all persons...........................
Compensation per hour......................................
Real compensation per hour..............................
Unit labor co sts..................................................
Unit nonlabor payments .....................................
Implicit price deflator ..........................................

110.2
138.9
103.5
126.0
140.0
130.6

109.8
141.0
103.4
128.4
139.1
131.9

109.7
142.9
103.1
130.3
139.5
133.3

109.3
144.1
103.0
131.8
141.2
134.9

109.8
146.1
103.9
133.1
141.8
136.0

110.3
147.5
104.2
133.7
142.8
136.7

111.2
148.8
104.3
133.8
144.3
137.3

112.3
150.3
104.4
133.8
147.0
138.2

112.6
151.0
104.1
134.1
148.9
139.0

113.5
152.7
104.6
134.5
147.9
138.9

114.8
154.3
104.9
134.4
152.4
140.3

Nonfarm business:
Output per hour of all persons...........................
Compensation per hour......................................
Real compensation per hour..............................
Unit labor costs .................................................
Unit nonlabor payments .....................................
Implicit price deflator ..........................................

108.6
137.5
102.5
126.6
140.4
131.1

108.1
139.6
102.4
129.1
139.6
132.5

108.1
141.6
102.2
131.0
140.6
134.1

107.9
143.0
102.2
132.5
142.5
135.7

108.4
145.0
103.1
133.8
142.6
136.6

108.9
146.4
103.4
134.4
144.0
137.5

109.6
147.5
103.4
134.6
145.9
138.3

110.6
148.9
103.5
134.6
148.4
139.1

111.1
149.8
103.3
134.9
150.6
139.9

111.8
151.4
103.7
135.3
149.4
139.9

113.1
153.0
104.0
135.2
153.8
141.2

Nonfinancial corporations:
Output per hour of all employees.......................
Compensation per hour......................................
Real compensation per hour..............................
Total unit costs..................................................
Unit labor costs ...............................................
Unit nonlabor costs.........................................
Unit profits.........................................................
Unit nonlabor payments .....................................
Implicit price deflator .........................................

112.3
135.6
101.1
119.1
120.8
114.9
176.7
126.5
122.7

111.9
137.6
100.9
121.4
123.0
117.4
157.2
124.9
123.6

112.6
139.6
100.7
122.7
124.0
119.5
149.7
125.2
124.4

113.0
140.8
100.7
123.9
124.6
122.2
151.3
127.7
125.6

113.6
142.7
101.5
124.7
125.7
122.1
154.5
128.2
126.5

114.2
144.0
101.7
125.3
126.2
123.1
150.7
128.3
126.9

115.3
145.2
101.7
125.0
125.9
122.8
155.2
128.9
126.9

116.0
145.9
101.4
124.6
125.7
121.7
167.7
130.3
127.3

116.7
146.6
101.1
124.4
125.6
121.4
179.6
132.4
127.8

118.2
147.9
101.3
124.5
125.2
122.8
179.3
133.5
127.9

_
_
_
_
_
-

Manufacturing:
Output per hour of all persons...........................
Compensation per hour......................................
Real compensation per hour..............................
Unit labor co sts..................................................

124.8
133.0
99.2
106.6

127.2
134.6
98.7
105.8

127.0
136.8
98.7
107.7

126.1
138.5
99.0
109.9

127.5
140.2
99.7
110.0

129.4
141.3
99.8
109.2

129.7
142.8
100.1
110.1

129.4
142.0
98.7
109.8

131.0
143.1
98.7
109.2

132.7
144.6
99.0
108.9

134.1
146.5
99.6
109.2

- Data not available.


https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

Monthly Labor Review May 1993

115

Current Labor Statistics:
45.

Productivity Data

Annual indexes of multifactor productivity and related measures, selected years

(1982 = 100)
Item

1960

1970

1973

1980

1984

1985

1986

1987

1988

1989

1990

Private business:

Productivity:
Output per hour of all persons.........................
Output per unit of capital services...................
Multifactor productivity.....................................
Output................................................................
Inputs:
Hours of all persons.........................................
Capital services ...............................................
Combined units of labor and capital input........
Capital per hour of all persons...........................

65.1
128.5
80.2
52.1

87.0
122.2
96.2
75.8

94.8
125.1
103.0
88.0

99.2
109.3
102.1
101.0

105.1
106.8
105.6
113.2

107.3
107.2
107.3
118.0

109.8
106.5
108.8
121.6

111.1
108.0
110.1
126.7

113.6
110.9
112.8
133.5

113.2
110 5
112.4
136.3

112 8
108 4
1114
136.6

80.0
40.5
65.0
50.6

87.2
62.1
78.8
71.2

92.8
70.4
85.5
75.8

101.9
92.5
99.0
90.7

107.7
106.0
107.1
98.5

109.9
110.1
110.0
100.1

110.7
114.2
111.8
103.1

114.1
117.4
115.1
102.9

117.5
120.4
118.4
102.4

120.4
123.3
121.3
102.5

121 0
126 0
122 6
104.1

69.8
135.1
84.8
51.9

89.1
126.6
98.5
76.2

96.6
128.9
104.9
88.6

99.9
110.5
102.8
101.7

105.2
107.0
105.7
113.8

106.7
106.5
106.6
118.3

108.9
105.7
107.9
121.8

110.0
107.0
109.1
127.0

112.7
110.0
111.9
134.3

112.1
109.3
111.3
137.0

111 5
107 0
110.1
137.2

74.4
38.4
61.2
51.6

85.5
60.2
77.4
70.4

91.7
68.7
84.5
75.0

101.8
92.0
98.9
90.4

108.2
106.4
107.6
98.4

110.9
111.0
110.9
100.1

111.8
115.2
112.8
103.0

115.5
118.7
116.4
102.7

119.1
122.0
120.0
102.4

122.2
125.4
123.1
102.6

123.1
128 3
124 6
104.2

58.4
136.6
72.6
55.0

77.2
128.0
87.5
82.3

89.4
143.4
100.5
100.9

96.6
113.4
100.5
106.2

110.0
115.7
111.4
118.6

114.8
117.2
115.4
122.8

120.0
118.9
119.7
126.6

126.4
124.9
126.0
134.3

132.1
132.9
132.4
144.6

133.3
132.8
133.2
146.4

136.6
131 3
135.1
147.0

94.2
40.3
75.8
42.8

106.5
64.3
94.1
60.3

112.9
70.4
100.5
62.3

109.9
93.6
105.7
85.2

107.8
102.5
106.4
95.1

107.0
104.8
106.4
98.0

105.4
106.5
105.7
101.0

106.2
107.5
106.6
101.2

109.4
108.8
109.2
99.4

109.8
110.3
109.9
100.4

107.6
112 0
108 8
104.1

Private nonfarm business:

Productivity:
Output per hour of all persons.........................
Output per unit of capital services...................
Multifactor productivity.....................................
Output................................................................
Inputs:
Hours of all persons.........................................
Capital services ...............................................
Combined units of labor and capital input........
Capital per hour of all persons...........................
Manufacturing:

Productivity:
Output per hour of all persons.........................
Output per unit of capital services...................
Multifactor productivity.....................................
Output................................................................
Inputs:
Hours of all persons.........................................
Capital services ...............................................
Combined units of labor and capital inputs......
Capital per hour of all persons...........................

NOTE: Productivity and output in this table have not been revised
for consistency with the December 1991 comprehensive revisions to

46.

the National Income and Product Accounts,

Annual indexes of productivity, hourly compensation, unit costs, and prices, selected years

(1982 = 100)
Item

1960

1970

1973

1981

1983

1985

1986

1987

1988

1989

1990

1991

1992

Output per hour of all persons...........................
Compensation per hour......................................
Real compensation per hour..............................
Unit labor costs ..................................................
Unit nonlabor payments .....................................
Implicit price deflator .........................................

65.5
21.1
68.7
32.2
33.6
32.6

86.9
36.7
91.2
42.2
42.7
42.4

95.0
45.1
98.0
47.5
52.1
49.0

99.9
93.0
98.7
93.1
97.5
94.5

102.2
103.7
100.5
101.5
107.5
103.4

106.1
113.0
101.3
106.5
120.9
111.2

108.3
118.6
104.4
109.5
122.1
113.6

109.4
122.7
104.3
112.2
125.6
116.6

110.4
128.0
104.4
116.0
130.7
120.8

109.5
132.3
103.0
120.9
136.8
126.1

109.7
139.7
103.2
127.3
139.3
131.2

110 1
146.6
103 9
133.1
142 5
136.2

113 3
152 1
104 6
134 2
149 1
139.1

69.8
22.2
72.3
31.8
33.3
32.3

88.5
37.0
92.0
41.8
43.0
42.2

96.3
45.4
98.6
47.1
49.7
47.9

99.9
93.0
98.8
93.1
96.6
94.2

102.4
103.9
100.7
101.5
109.2
104.0

105.4
112.6
101.0
106.8
121.6
111.6

107.5
118.1
104.0
109.9
123.3
114.2

108.3
122.1
103.7
112.8
126.6
117.2

109.2
127.2
103.7
116.4
131.9
121.4

108.2
131.3
102.2
121.4
137.3
126.5

108.2
138.4
102.2
127.9
139.9
131.8

108 7
145.4
103 0
133.8
143 7
137.0

150 8
103 7
135 0
150 6
140.0

75.2
23.6
76.9
29.5
31.4
24.8
75.1
34.2
32.3

90.2
38.3
95.4
40.5
42.5
35.5
69.5
41.9
42.3

94.9
46.5
101.1
46.5
49.0
40.2
87.9
49.2
49.1

98.7
93.5
99.2
93.7
94.7
91.3
120.8
96.8
95.4

103.7
103.2
100.0
99.5
99.6
99.3
135.9
106.2
101.8

106.3
111.8
100.2
103.7
105.2
100.1
168.1
112.9
107.7

109.0
116.9
102.9
105.9
107.2
102.4
150.0
111.4
108.6

110.8
120.5
102.4
107.0
108.8
102.5
172.1
115.6
111.0

112.9
125.4
102.3
109.8
111.1
106.4
183.5
120.9
114.3

110.9
129.6
100.8
115.7
116.8
112.9
168.5
123.3
119.0

111.9
136.4
100.7
120.4
121.9
116.7
162.7
125.4
123.0

113 9
143 1
101 4
124 7
125 6
122.6
152 9
128.3
126.5

-

-

’

96.4
91.4
97.0
94.8
94.5
94.8

102.9
102.5
99.3
99.6
115.1
103.4

108.0
111.0
99.5
102.8
122.8
107.7

112.6
115.4
101.7
102.5
133.3
110.1

117.2
118.0
100.2
100.6
139.0
110.1

122.0
122.6
100.0
100.5
147.1
112.0

122.5
127.3
99.1
103.9
151.9
115.7

125.7
133.8
98.8
106.4

128.1
140.6
99.6
109.8

Business:

Nonfarm business:

Output per hour of all persons...........................
Compensation per hour......................................
Real compensation per hour..............................
Unit labor costs .................................................
Unit nonlabor payments .....................................
Implicit price deflator .........................................
Nonfinanciai corporations:

Output per hour of all employees.......................
Compensation per hour......................................
Real compensation per hour ..............................
Total unit costs..................................................
Unit labor costs ...............................................
Unit nonlabor costs.........................................
Unit profits.........................................................
Unit nonlabor payments .....................................
Implicit price deflator .........................................

-

Manufacturing:

Output per hour of all persons...........................
Compensation per hour......................................
Real compensation per hour..............................
Unit labor costs ..................................................
Unit nonlabor payments .....................................
Implicit price deflator ..........................................

'

- Data not available.

116 Monthly Labor Review May 1993

https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

-

131 9
144 1
99 1
109 3
-

47.

Annual indexes of output per hour for selected industries

(1982 = 100)
SIC

1973

1979

1983

1984

1985

1986

1987

1988

1989

1990

1991

Iron mining, usable ore ..................................
Copper mining, recoverable metal...................
Coal mining....................................................
Crude petroleum and natural g a s ...................
Nonmetalllc minerals, except fuels ..................

1011
1021
12
1311
14

125.0
73.9
105.3
223.1
108.9

125.2
84.6
83.1
141.7
114.9

140.0
112.0
114.3
99.2
110.0

172.4
132.5
127.0
105.1
117.7

187.2
163.0
129.3
106.9
119.9

195.1
191.5
140.3
116.6
120.6

245.5
174.3
151.8
128.0
127.6

254.5
191.2
168.4
129.0
130.4

244.1
187.9
177.5
125.1
130.1

221.1
182.2
180.4
124.0
137.9

175.4
186.3
125.6
132.3

Meatpacking plants.........................................
Sausages and other prepared meats..............
Poultry dressing and processing.....................

2011
2013
2015
2026
2033
2037
2041
2043
2044
2046

74.2
71.5
61.6
65.3
86.8
82.0
77.4
84.0
78.1
41.1

87.4
98.5
84.5
85.4
93.9
88.5
93.6
93.2
92.4
76.1

104.2
103.1
104.8
105.3
105.3
101.3
105.2
104.3
98.2
113.1

107.2
102.6
104.1
109.4
107.5
102.1
108.5
114.7
88.5
138.3

112.1
101.6
106.2
112.8
114.2
98.1
114.8
119.6
97.1
143.9

109.7
101.5
101.6
117.8
123.2
103.9
116.9
121.1
105.5
158.1

110.7
105.5
108.2
122.4
125.4
101.9
122.6
122.4
125.9
170.3

111.3
111.3
103.1
127.3
122.8
99.7
126.5
120.7
105.4
162.4

101.2
104.3
108.3
130.6
114.2
99.8
126.0
117.4
124.2
168.1

100.8
98.2
114.8
131.9
117.5
96.3
133.1
124.7
134.5
170.5

102.6
135.3
“
“
-

Beet sugar .....................................................
Malt beverages...............................................
Bottled and canned soft drinks.......................
Fresh or frozen fish and seafood...................
Cigarettes, chewing and smoking tobacco......
Cigars ............................................................

2047,48
2051,52
2061,62
2063
2082
2086
2092
2111,31
2121

65.7
90.6
106.7
105.4
60.2
69.3
93.5
89.2
80.3

81.1
92.1
116.0
110.3
89.6
90.6
96.3
103.0
91.0

101.8
104.0
112.3
99.0
108.5
106.6
90.0
103.4
101.7

106.0
104.4
104.7
113.3
115.3
114.7
89.7
104.8
129.0

115.0
106.4
118.1
104.1
110.4
119.7
88.1
107.8
119.3

112.0
112.6
117.2
114.7
130.7
128.6
91.4
110.5
123.8

120.2
111.4
123.0
141.9
143.8
140.5
98.4
116.1
130.5

122.2
103.3
121.4
135.2
143.2
154.2
98.6
123.9
136.5

120.7
103.0
117.9
124.6
142.8
167.5
89.8
124.7
141.6

124.5
104.6
118.0
129.2
153.0
177.8
86.2
131.0
138.7

104.8
123.2
133.8
152.1
186.8
131.5
130.0

Cotton and synthetic broadwoven fabrics.......
Hosiery ............................................ ..............
Yarn spinning mills.........................................
Men’s and boys’ suits and coats....................

2211,21
2251,52
2281
2311

68.1
65.2
72.0
88.4

89.6
94.3
87.8
101.7

108.6
103.0
108.8
94.8

107.1
103.9
110.3
101.7

111.1
102.4
114.8
111.6

119.5
103.9
120.6
112.8

118.2
101.2
131.3
112.5

115.9
108.6
129.3
115.8

120.5
109.5
135.8
117.9

125.5
106.8
140.5
115.4

129.6
113.1
148.8

Sawmills and planing mills, general ................

2421
2431
2434
2435
2436
244
2511,17
2512
2514
2515
2521
2522
2611,21,31
2653
2657
2673,74

85.7
118.9
86.7
79.2
75.7
105.9
78.8
87.7
84.7
86.6
84.0
82.2
77.0
89.0
98.7

90.8
107.2
95.8
96.3
76.4
74.2
103.6
90.7
83.8
98.4
122.8
89.7
94.7
95.5
100.2
102.8

107.4
102.1
97.9
108.5
104.2
99.9
105.8
104.8
101.1
101.1
104.1
104.9
107.4
101.9
101.3
108.7

111.1
103.0
97.7
102.5
106.3
102.5
107.7
98.9
112.2
99.4
106.4
112.5
108.7
106.3
100.5
112.4

115.8
99.6
92.3
106.7
105.6
99.2
106.9
107.7
114.7
95.9
106.8
110.6
110.6
109.5
98.4
114.4

128.0
104.7
89.8
106.6
108.2
98.0
114.6
109.8
118.7
100.9
103.6
114.4
120.1
113.0
101.3
120.6

125.4
112.2
108.1
130.6
120.9
98.2
114.8
109.1
115.4
112.5
107.8
112.7
124.0
110.2
105.2
119.4

128.3
110.6
106.3
132.7
121.0
101.7
116.0
108.9
116.0
117.5
102.1
107.9
126.2
109.6
105.3
116.6

125.7
109.5
98.8
132.4
123.8
107.4
114.2
110.3
115.1
125.8
101.5
111.4
127.0
107.6
107.0
112.3

125.7
110.1
102.1
124.3
131.0
110.9
112.7
107.6
119.7
129.0
103.3
107.7
127.9
110.4
110.7
110.4

128.3
116.3
136.1
116.8
112.2
124.8
128.2
128.3
111.0
110.0

2812
2816

101.2
118.5

107.1
108.6

128.7
110.8

149.7
131.2

154.0
135.3

208.2
141.0

204.9
155.4

208.2
158.1

191.5
165.1

186.0
157.3

2819 pt.
2823,24
2841
2844
2851

122.0
76.6
100.0
104.1
77.3

141.8
110.7
103.8
112.1
98.5

108.9
121.2
97.4
103.1
106.5

123.8
120.9
102.3
102.3
113.6

122.2
130,8
104.3
105.0
117.3

124.2
140.7
106.2
113.8
118.8

139.8
151.7
114.4
118.0
119.6

129.7
158.7
117.5
122.9
123.2

120.0
155.2
125.8
119.4
127.3

122.3
150.2
148.5
118.1
132.9

2869
2873
2874
2875

103.6
80.7
100.8
105.5

130.2
96.5
107.3
134.2

120.6
112.0
121.9
115.1

130.6
133.6
136.8
124.2

129.1
131.4
127.0
128.4

136.5
117.3
116.3
119.7

150.6
138.0
144.8
127.7

162.5
140.4
133.5
131.2

158.9
140.8
123.7
141.4

147.6
148.8
149.9
139.0

141.4
-

2879

86.7

104.2

101.9

115.6

108.7

109.4

119.2

129.6

128.7

125.3

“

2911
3011
3052

117.9
74.2
93.9

119.5
83.6
96.2

102.7
107.6
111.1

116.3
117.6
119.2

128.8
118.9
114.7

142.6
124.3
116.4

143.4
134.9
113.1

151.9
140.7
121.2

157.8
143.4
109.2

157.5
146.1
115.1

155.4
147.4
"

Clay construction products.............................
Clay refractories.............................................
Concrete products.........................................
Ready-mixed concrete ..................................

308
314
3221
3241
3251,53,59
3255
3271,72
3273

85.0
92.6
87.5
106.0
87.6
93.6
101.6
114.3

86.0
94.2
96.8
102.0
88.5
110.2
101.7
110.4

97.4
97.7
99.3
115.2
97.8
121.5
107.2
103.7

100.4
99.3
113.0
133.1
106.9
115.3
109.3
106.4

102.7
101.0
108.4
136.2
109.1
114.1
110.8
107.7

103.7
102.8
114.3
143.8
110.7
123.3
116.8
110.8

117.1
100.6
116.1
148.1
116.0
124.2
113.8
115.5

114.9
102.8
117.5
152.7
121.2
125.8
117.8
115.8

113.6
101.4
121.8
163.0
112.3
120.8
123.2
116.7

117.2
92.9
130.5
166.2
116.5
123.0
121.9
115.1

117.1
90.8
131.3
149.9
103.4
130.8
131.1
118.7

Primary copper..............................................
Primary aluminum..........................................
Copper rolling and drawing ...........................
Aluminum rolling and drawing ........................
Metal c a n s.... ...............................................

331
3321
3324,25
3331
3334
3351
3353,54,55
3411

117.3
100.8
114.5
70.5
96.6
87.9
94.7
68.9

117.6
103.3
113.1
88.2
96.8
92.6
101.1
87.5

128.7
104.5
100.9
106.4
108.5
114.5
110.9
101.9

144.3
113.1
111.1
123.7
121.8
121.1
116.6
103.1

153.3
110.1
107.4
158.2
121.8
115.9
116.4
105.1

156.3
113.2
112.8
190.3
130.3
124.3
125.0
104.8

167.6
114.7
108.0
214.7
129.6
128.0
125.7
107.7
J______

184.8
123.5
103.5
222.8
132.6
128.6
124.6
115.4

179.5
118.6
104.1
207.8
135.8
121.3
121.7
117.0

184.8
119.0
103.4
185.2
138.1
120.7
118.7
127.8

177.5
110.8
95.2
189.9
143.6
120.0

Industry

Canned fruits and vegetables.........................
Frozen fruits and vegetables...........................
Flour and other grain mill products.................
Cereal breakfast foods...................................
Rice milling ....................................................
Wet corn milling .............................................
Prepared feeds for animals and fowls............
Bakery products.............................................

Wood kitchen cabinets...................................
Hardwood veneer and plywood......................
Softwood veneer and plywood .......................
Wood household furniture ..............................
Upholstered household furniture.....................
Metal household furniture...............................
Mattresses and bedsprings............................
Office furniture, except wood..........................
Pulp, paper, and paperboard mills..................
Corrugated and solid fiber boxes ...................
Folding paperboard boxes..............................
Paper and plastic bags ..................................
Inorganic pigments .........................................
Industrial inorganic chemicals, not
Synthetic fibers...............................................
Soaps and detergents....................................
Cosmetics and other toiletries ........................
Paints and allied products..............................
Industrial organic chemicals, not
Nitrogenous fertilizers.....................................
Phosphatic fertilizers ......................................
Fertilizers, mixing only....................................
Agricultural chemicals, not
elsewhere classified.....................................
Petroleum refining..........................................
Rubber and plastics hose and belting............
Miscellaneous plastic products, not

-

-

-

“
155.5
133.7

135.5

See footnotes at end of table.


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Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

Monthly Labor Review May 1993

117

Current Labor Statistics:

Productivity Data

47. Continued—Annual indexes of output per hour for selected industries
(1982 = 100)
Industry
Hand and edge tools, not elsewhere
classified......................................................
Heating equipment, except electric.................
Fabricated structural metal.............................
Metal doors, sash, and trim............................
Bolts, nuts, rivets, and washers......................
Automotive stampings....................................
Metal stampings, not elsewhere
classified......................................................

SIC

1973

1979

1983

1984

1985

1986

1987

1988

1989

1990

1991

3423
3433
3441
3442
3452
3465

109.6
83.1
113.4
95.8
97.2
88.7

112.1
93.6
102.5
96.6
103.6
96.4

96.4
90.9
103.4
103.8
112.8
114.6

97.8
99.5
108.3
107.0
113.1
119.7

98.9
98.9
118.3
110.6
118.1
112.6

98.7
102.0
118.3
108.3
122.3
114.0

103.9
106.4
118.8
107.9
133.5
119.1

105.4
119.1
118.1
110.4
129.1
124.4

106.0
109.0
112.3
110.2
124.0
124.8

100.1
117.0
116.3
106.2
124.0
120.0

3469

111.7

113.7

99.7

106.1

100.1

106.4

117.1

116.9

114.6

111.5

_
_
_
_
_
-

Valves and pipe fittings..................................
Fabricated pipe and fittings............................
Internal combustion engines, not
elsewhere classified.....................................
Farm machinery and equipment.....................
Lawn and garden equipment..........................
Construction machinery...................................
Mining machinery...........................................
Oil and gas field machinery............................

3491,92,94
3498

102.0
123.1

104.0
100.7

102.4
97.2

103.9
109.4

103.5
100.7

103.2
101.4

109.8
83.2

111.8
82.7

111.3
84.6

112.1
88.7

_

3519
3523
3524
3531
3532
3533

111.3
103.3
84.1
105.6
119.4
118.7

120.0
106.1
106.3
112.7
105.0
113.3

106.1
99.4
103.5
99.5
100.4
93.1

122.1
113.0
101.7
116.9
108.7
106.9

125.9
106.7
104.4
119.1
112.1
103.8

133.4
103.5
117.9
126.3
115.1
107.0

134.9
108.1
127.2
123.1
120.4
113.0

141.9
119.2
124.1
132.3
122.8
112.2

149.9
130.5
119.4
136.3
130.2
118.3

143.6
136.6
121.4
140.3
121.2
121.4

133.7
146.9

Metal-cutting machine tools ...........................
Metal-forming machine tools..........................
Machine tool accessories...............................
Pumps and pumping equipment.....................
Ball and roller bearings..................................
Air and gas compressors................................
Refrigeration and heating equipment..............
Carburetors, pistons, rings, and valves...........

3541
3542
3545
3561,94
3562
3563
3585
3592

118.3
134.2
118.7
101.2
123.7
104.7
102.8
131.0

115.5
116.7
113.3
108.8
127.1
103.9
101.1
102.9

91.7
103.4
93.1
106.1
103.6
103.4
100.9
108.3

106.2
110.9
106.9
114.3
113.4
107.9
105.5
119.9

110.5
114.5
103.8
114.8
110.2
110.5
103.8
124.0

112.7
115.2
107.0
117.5
114.5
114.1
101.6
120.8

126.7
124.1
113.0
129.7
122.2
120.5
105.5
129.3

119.3
143.9
112.2
137.6
124.5
125.8
109.0
142.1

127.0
139.5
118.3
133.0
118.1
127.8
111.8
154.9

129.3
127.3
121.4
135.5
110.9
131.3
111.7
146.9

Transformers, except electronic .....................
Switchgear and switchboard apparatus...........
Motors and generators...................................
Household cooking equipment........................
Household refrigerators and freezers .............
Household laundry equipment.........................
Household appliances, not elsewhere
classified......................................................
Electric lamps.................................................
Lighting fixtures and equipment......................
Household audio and video equipment...........
Motor vehicles and equipment........................
Instruments to measure electricity...................
Photographic equipment and supplies............

3612
3613
3621
3631
3632
3633

97.2
100.3
98.3
75.4
82.3
83.9

108.8
101.5
97.0
96.6
96.7
102.6

99.6
104.5
101.1
104.0
109.4
106.8

98.2
105.7
103.9
109.8
109.2
112.4

99.5
108.6
105.6
109.4
116.9
113.2

101.3
108.4
106.7
123.5
113.7
118.4

103.8
112.5
110.1
125.5
112.4
122.0

106.9
122.5
114.5
128.2
115.3
130.0

109.0
122.3
113.9
135.4
120.3
122.8

116.7
124.5
113.0
130.2
120.9
126.6

90.1
83.2
102.9
53.7
88.4
76.2
83.5

108.4
97.1
103.8
72.3
100.8
84.2
111.4

110.8
114.5
105.8
121.3
112.7
102.1
110.9

118.8
120.8
112.5
148.6
118.2
112.2
114.0

120.6
115.9
118.2
158.8
123.4
109.5
110.7

125.2
119.3
126.0
179.6
123.1
102.6
119.1

138.9
131.0
122.7
172.9
130.0
111.5
122.5

140.0
138.4
119.0
191.5
133.7
118.8
130.0

136.9
149.2
117.4
212.6
133.3
121.8
139.1

126.7
156.1
115.4
231.9
132.6
120.4
134.1

137.2
175.3
112.8
236.2
127.0

83.1
107.4
89.5
74.5
109.7
57.7
98.8
117.3
-

90.4
99.5
108.0
98.5
114.0
85.9
106.6
116.2
107.6

122.4
96.4
121.2
110.4
106.5
112.4
101.6
91.2
120.1

131.9
92.0
125.2
114.8
117.9
110.8
105.5
94.0
118.6

139.7
88.3
120.6
118.8
118.5
116.1
104.5
92.4
124.3

153.8
87.9
124.6
119.9
121.0
125.0
107.1
83.3
130.0

178.3
91.9
128.7
126.9
118.7
128.7
112.4
80.9
133.2

195.3
99.2
135.7
122.5
124.3
135.5
117.9
85.3
130.9

207.4 218.1
_
96.2
_
140.9
118.3 U3.7
122.4 121.6
141.9 142.4
121.1 . 123.8
83.7
76.6
120.9 141.8

236.2

109.0
124.2
100.7
89.6
120.0
120.1
127.2
124.7
110.4
115.9
103.6
117.0
118.4
160.2

3639
3641
3645,46,47,48
3651
371
3825
3861

4011
Railroad transportation, revenue traffic...........
4111,13,14 pts.
Bus carriers, class 1 .......................................
4213
Trucking, except local ....................................
4512,13,22 pts.
Air transportation ...........................................
4612,13
Petroleum pipelines........................................
481
Telephone communications............................
Electric utilities ............................................... 491,493 pt.
Gas utilities.................................................... 492,493 pt.
5093
Scrap and waste materials.............................

_
_

129.3
134.2
111.7

_
_
112.5
_
_
120.7

_

114.3
134.6
128.6
125.6

_
-

_
_

115.3
117.6
150.4
127.1
75.6
153.9

Hardware stores.............................................
Department stores..........................................
Variety stores .................................................
Grocery stores................................................
Retail bakeries................................................
New and used car dealers .............................
Auto and home supply stores.........................
Gasoline service stations................................
Men’s and boys’ clothing stores.....................
Women’s clothing stores ................................
Family clothing stores ....................................
Shoe stores ...................................................
Furniture and homefurnishings stores.............
Household appliance stores...........................
Radio, television, and computer
stores..........................................................

5251
5311
5331
5411
546
5511
5531
5541
5611
5621
5651
5661
571
5722

90.2
77.2
106.7
103.0
121.9
95.8
84.2
77.0
88.7
66.3
77.6
91.2
98.6
89.3

105.1
92.9
90.6
101.1
108.9
97.3
96.3
95.9
93.1
81.8
77.0
102.5
107.5
109.2

98.2
106.5
105.0
100.6
100.6
109.8
109.6
109.3
102.4
105.6
108.1
98.7
107.2
107.4

103.3
113.0
107.1
101.9
92.4
112.2
107.8
112.9
107.1
109.5
107.9
101.9
117.4
130.5

102.0
115.6
97.6
99.9
84.5
112.2
112.2
121.4
112.3
111.5
104.7
109.9
113.9
142.2

108.1
121.3
80.5
98.2
90.7
114.5
111.7
132.2
115.1
119.7
104.9
118.7
122.0
159.2

106.2
124.0
75.6
94.7
97.0
112.5
117.8
129.6
114.4
111.4
101.3
112.3
120.5
149.7

115.7
123.6
74.1
93.3
99.8
115.5
123.1
130.7
115.4
109.2
102.4
114.7
119.5
150.1

122:8
120.9
87.1
90.6
101.1
116.5
123.0
130.8
113.3
111.6
104.3
119.3
121.7
156.9

118.0
117.9
102.0
89.5
105.6
120.4
126.4
125.2
110.8
114.1
102.7
117.7
124.4
158.2

573

68.7

79.1

112.2

112.4

125.6

132.1

140.7

166.4

165.2

172.2

176.8

Eating and drinking places.............................
Drug and proprietary stores............................
Liquor stores..................................................
Commercial banks.........................................
Laundry, cleaning, and garment services........
Beauty shops.................................................
Automotive repair shops.................................

581
5912
5921
602
721
7231
753

106.7
90.0
93.3
102.8
108.8
93.4
119.3

102.6
96.2
89.3
106.6
107.8
94.9
114.7

99.0
104.0
94.7
108.9
99.6
109.8
98.0

95.3
102.2
92.5
112.0
102.0
104.3
100.1

92.6
98.9
100.7
117.8
98.0
101.8
108.4

95.6
98.5
92.8
120.0
95.4
102.7
104.8

96.1
97.5
87.3
124.9
94.7
106.0
108.8

98.3
99.4
85.5
129.3
93.6
102.6
114.6

97.0
100.2
87.6
127.8
95.8
109.3
117.2

97.6
101.7
90.9
135.7
96.6
108.7
115.7

101.0
106.5
91.1

Data not available.

118 Monthly Labor Review May 1993

https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

_
_
-

48. Unemployment rates, approximating U.S. concepts, in nine countries, quarterly data
seasonally adjusted
Annual average

1991

1992

Country
1991
United States.....................................
Canada ..............................................
Australia............................................
Japan .................................................

6.7
10.3
9.6
2.1

France...............................................
Germany ...........................................
Italy'..................................................
Sweden .............................................
United Kingdom .................................

9.6
4.4
6.9
2.6
8.8

1992
7.4
-

-

_
-

“

1 Quarterly rates are for the first month of the quarter.
- Data not available.
NOTE: Quarterly figures for France, Germany, and the
United Kingdom are calculated by applying annual adjust­


https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

II

III

IV

I

II

III

IV

6.7
10.3
9.5
2.1

6.7
10.4
9.9
2.2

7.0
10.3
10.4
2.1

7.3
10.7
10.5
2.1

7.5
11.3
10.7
2.1

7.5
11.5
10.9
2.2

7.3
11.4
11.3
2.3

9.5
4.4
7.0
2.5
8.6

9.7
4.4
6.7
2.8
9.2

9.9
4.4
6.9
3.2
9.4

10.0
4.4
7.0
3.7
9.6

10.2
4.6
6.9
5.1
9.8

10.2
4.8
6.9
5.0
10.2

-

10.4
5.0
5.2
10.6

ment factors to current published data and therefore should
be viewed as less precise indicators of unemployment under
U.S. concepts than the annual figures.

Monthly Labor Review May 1993

119

Current Labor Statistics:
49.

International Comparisons Data

Annual data: Employment status of the working-age population, approximating U.S. concepts, 10 countries

(Numbers in thousands)
Employment status and country

1981

1982

1983

1984

1985

1986

1987

1988

1989

Civilian labor force

United States.......................................................
Canada ................................................................
Australia...............................................................
Japan ..................................................................
France ................................................................
Germany..............................................................
Italy .....................................................................
Netherlands.........................................................
Sweden.................................................................
United Kingdom....................................................

108,670 110,20^ 111,550
11,899 11,926
12,100
6,810
6.91C
6,997
56,320 56,980 58,110
22,950 23,160 23,140
27,540 27,710 27,670
21,320 21,410 21,590
6,090
6,150
6,120
4,327
4,350
4,369
26,590 26,560 26,590

113,544 115,461 117,834 119,865 121,669 123,869 124,787 125,303
12,316 12,532 12,746 13,011 13,275 13,503 13,681 13,757
7,13£
7,300
7,588
7,758
7,974
8,237
8,459
8,534
58.48C 58,820 59,410 60,050 60,860 61,920 63,050 64,280
23.30C 23,360 23,440 23,550 23,600 23,740 23,860 24,080
27,800 28,020 28,240 28,390 28,610 28,840 29,440 29,820
21,670 21,800 22,290 22,350 22,660 22,530 22,660 22,940
6,200
6,250
6,370
6,500
6,530
6,610
6,780
6,870
4,385
4,418
4,443
4,480
4,540
4,599
4,642
4,626
27,010 27,210 27,380 27,720 28,150 28,420 28,540 28,400

Participation rate 1

United S tates........................................................
Canada ................................................................
Australia................................................................
Japan ...................................................................
France ..................................................................
Germany...............................................................
Italy ......................................................................
Netherlands..........................................................
Sweden................................................................
United Kingdom....................................................

63.9
64.8
61.9
62.6
57.1
54.7
48.3
56.7
66.8
62.2

64.0
64.1
61.7
62.7
57.1
54.6
47.7
56.6
66.8
61.9

64.0
64.4
61.4
63.1
56.6
54.3
47.5
55.7
66.7
61.6

64.4
64.8
61.5
62.7
56.6
54.4
47.3
55.7
66.6
62.1

64.8
65.3
61.6
62.3
56.3
54.7
47.2
55.5
66.9
62.2

65.3
65.7
62.8
62.1
56.1
54.9
47.8
55.9
67.0
62.2

65.6
66.2
63.0
61.9
55.9
55.0
47.6
56.3
67.1
62.6

65.9
66.7
63.3
61.9
55.5
55.1
47.4
56.1
67.6
63.4

66.5
67.0
64.2
62.2
55.3
55.2
47.3
56.3
68.0
63.8

66.4
67.0
64.7
62.6
55.2
55.1
47.3
56.8
68.1

63.9

66.0

66.3
64.3
63.2
55.3
55.5
47.7
57.6
67.6
63.6

Employed

United States........................................................
Canada .................................................................
Australia...............................................................
Japan ...................................................................
France .................................................................
Germany...............................................................
Italy ......................................................................
Netherlands..........................................................
Sweden ................................................................
United Kingdom....................................................

100,397
11,001
6,416
55,060
21,200
26,450
20,280
5,550
4,219
23,800

99,526 100,834 105,005 107,150 109,597 112,440 114,968 117,342 117,914 116,877
10,618 10,675 10,932 11,221 11,531 11,861 12,245 12,486 12,572 12,340
6,415
6,300
6,494
6,697
6,974
7,129
7,398
7,728
7,872
7,713
55,620 56,550 56,870 57,260 57,740 58,320 59,310 60,500 61,710 62,920
21,240 21,170 20,980 20,920 20,950 21,020 21,190 21,460 21,680 21,780
26,150 25,770 25,830 26,010 26,380 26,590 26,800 27,200 27,970 28,500
20,250 20,320 20,390 20,490 20,610 20,590 20,870 20,770 21,070 21,360
5,520
5,420
5,490
5,650
5,740
5,850
5,920
6,050
6,270
6,390
4,213
4,218
4,249
4,293
4,326
4,396
4,467
4,538
4,572
4,504
23,560 23,450 23,830 24,150 24,300 24,860 25,730 26,390 26,580 25,910

Employment-population ratio 2

United States........................................................
Canada ................................................................
Australia................................................................
Japan ...................................................................
France .................................................................
Germany...............................................................
Italy ......................................................................
Netherlands..........................................................
Sweden................................................................
United Kingdom....................................................

59.0
59.9
58.4
61.2
52.8
52.5
45.9
51.7
65.1
55.7

57.8
57.1
57.3
61.2
52.3
51.6
45.2
50.8
64.7
54.9

57.9
56.8
55.3
61.4
51.8
50.6
44.7
49.3
64.4
54.3

59.5
57.5
56.0
61.0
51.0
50.5
44.5
49.3
64.5
54.8

60.1
58.5
56.5
60.6
50.4
50.7
44.4
50.1
65.0
55.2

60.7
59.4
57.7
60.4
50.2
51.3
44.2
50.3
65.2
55.2

61.5
60.4
57.9
60.1
49.9
51.5
43.8
50.7
65.8
56.2

62.3
61.6
58.7
60.4
49.8
51.6
43.7
50.8
66.5
57.9

63.0
62.0
60.2
60.8
50.0
52.0
43.6
51.5
67.1
59.2

62.7
61.5
60.2
61.3
50.2
52.3
44.0
52.6
67.0
59.5

61.6
59.5
58.1
61.8
50.0
53.0
44.4
53.5
65.8
58.0

8,273
898
394
1,260
1,750
1,090
1,040
540
108
2,790

10,678
1,308
495
1,360
1,920
1,560
1,160
630
137
3,000

10,717
1,434
697
1,560
1,970
1,900
1,270
700
151
3,140

8,539
1,384
641
1,610
2,320
1,970
1,280
710
136
3,180

8,312
1,311
603
1,560
2,440
2,010
1,310
600
125
3,060

8,237
1,215
613
1,670
2,490
1,860
1,680
630
117
3,080

7,425
1,150
629
1,730
2,530
1,800
1,760
650
84
2,860

6,701
1,031
576
1,550
2,410
1,810
1,790
610
73
2,420

6,528
1,018
509
1,420
2,280
1,640
1,760
560
61
2,030

6,874
1,109
587
1,340
2,180
1,470
1,590
510
70
1,960

8,426
1,417
821
1,360
2,300
1,320
1,580
480

7.6
7.5
5.8
2.2
7.6
4.0
4.9
8.9
2.5
10.5

9.7
11.0
7.2
2.4
8.3
5.6
5.4
10.2
3.1
11.3

9.6
11.8
10.0
2.7
8.5
6.9
5.9
11.4
3.5
11.8

7.5
11.2
9.0
2.8
10.0
7.1
5.9
11.4
3.1
11.8

7.2
10.5
8.3
2.6
10.4
7.2
6.0
9.6
2.8
11.2

7.0
9.5
8.1
2.8
10.6
6.6
7.5
9.9
2.6
11.2

6.2
8.8
8.1
2.9
10.7
6.3
7.9
10.0
1.9
10.3

5.5
7.8
7.2
2.5
10.2
6.3
7.9
9.3
1.6
8.6

5.3
7.5
6.2
2.3
9.6
5.7
7.8
8.5
1.3
7.1

Unemployed

United States........................................................
Canada .................................................................
Australia................................................................
Japan ...................................................................
France .................................................................
Germany...............................................................
Italy ......................................................................
Netherlands..........................................................
Sweden................................................................
United Kingdom....................................................

122

2,490

Unemployment rate

United States........................................................
Canada .................................................................
Australia................................................................
Japan ...................................................................
France .................................................................
Germany...............................................................
Italy ......................................................................
Netherlands..........................................................
Sweden................................................................
United Kingdom....................................................

Labor force as a percent of the working-age population.
Employment as a percent of the working-age population.

120 Monthly Labor Review M ay 1993

https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

6.7
10.3
9.6
2.1

9.6
4.4
6.9
7.0
2.6
8.8

NOTE: See “Notes on the data” for information on breaks in series for
Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, and Sweden.

50.

Annual indexes of manufacturing productivity and related measures, 12 countries

(1982 = 100)
Item and country

1960

1970

1973

Output per hour

United States..................................................... .
Japan ...................................................................
Belgium.................................................................

Italy ......................................................................

United Kingdom....................................................

Italy ......................................................................
Nonway ................................................................
United Kingdom....................................................

Japan ...................................................................
Belgium.................................................................

Netherlands..........................................................
United Kingdom....................................................

Japan ...................................................................
Belgium................................................................
Denmark...............................................................
Germany...............................................................
Italy ......................................................................
Netherlands..........................................................
Sweden................................................................
United Kingdom....................................................
Unit labor costs: National currency basis
United States........................................................
Canada ................................................................
Japan ...................................................................
Belgium................................................................
Denmark...............................................................

Germany...............................................................
Italy ......................................................................
Netherlands..........................................................
Sweden................................................................
United Kingdom....................................................
Unit labor costs: U.S. dollar basis
United States........................................................
Canada ................................................................
Japan ...................................................................
Belgium................................................................
Denmark..............................................................

Germany...............................................................
Netherlands..........................................................
United Kingdom....................................................

1983

1984

1985

1986

1987

1988

1989

1990

1991

91.9
66.1
57.8
72.7
68.7
78.5
65.2
67.3
86.4
80.9
84.1

94.4
99.9
92.1
87.5
98.0
90.6
98.4
95.5
93.9
96.3
96.2
89.9

96.4
104.8
95.5
94.2
99.6
93.4
100.5
97.8
97.5
96.5
95.7
94.5

100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0

102.9
107.3
101.9
110.9
104.9
102.5
105.3
105.2
106.6
105.2
106.5
108.5

105.6
116.3
106.1
115.8
104.3
104.5
108.9
115.7
115.0
112.6
111.7
114.0

108.0
119.8
112.0
117.2
105.0
108.8
112.9
122.3
118.7
116.0
112.4
118.2

112.6
117.9
110.3
118.2
98.9
110.8
113.4
123.7
119.1
114.6
114.3
122.9

117.2
119.0
119.5
120.1
98.4
113.0
111.5
127.2
118.7
120.4
115.3
130.4

122.0
119.5
126.5
125.2
102.1
121.0
115.5
130.5
122.3
119.7
117.3
137.5

122.5
119.0
135.2
131.2
105.6
127.9
119.0
135.1
126.3
125.9
120.0
143.5

125.7
120.1
144.2
133.9
106.2
129.4
122.9
140.6
126.6
129.7
121.0
146.0

128.1
121.7
146.5
137.0
109.3
129.1
125.4
145.2
128.6
133.5
122.4
149.8

44.1
15.1
37.8
45.4
35.1
50.9
28.0
42.7
56.0
51.8
82.3

78.5
55.1
70.9
75.7
72.7
86.9
58.4
80.3
88.4
91.0
109.8

100.0
71.8
86.9
88.5
87.0
96.4
70.7
91.2
101.3
98.7
121.2

103.8
110.7
91.5
96.4
101.7
100.6
104.7
103.1
101.5
101.7
102.3
106.1

105.3
114.8
95.7
95.8
98.4
99.0
103.6
101.1
101.5
100.7
99.6
99.8

100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0

104.0
106.5
104.3
105.6
106.7
99.9
101.3
100.8
101.9
99.3
105.7
102.9

113.8
120.2
113.2
108.4
111.7
98.7
104.3
105.4
107.9
105.0
113.7
106.8

115.5
127.0
121.2
109.6
115.3
99.1
107.9
108.9
111.1
108.8
115.9
109.6

118.8
127.9
117.9
108.9
115.3
99.1
109.4
111.5
113.7
108.8
117.2
111.1

124.6
134.1
126.5
109.0
110.6
98.9
107.3
116.3
113.9
110.8
120.1
116.9

133.4
140.9
138.2
114.6
112.3
104.6
110.7
125.0
118.1
105.5
123.0
125.1

134.6
141.2
149.3
121.9
113.6
110.5
114.2
129.7
123.6
103.8
125.1
130.4

135.0
134.0
160.3
126.4
113.6
112.4
119.3
131.8
126.5
104.7
122.4
129.8

131.9
125.1
165.3
125.9
114.5
110.4
122.5
131.3
128.2
103.7
115.9
123.0

94.2
85.5
81.2
156.2
140.0
114.5
131.9
96.2
160.9
117.3
143.4
166.6

106.5
102.1
105.9
159.9
132.3
124.1
129.7
107.0
152.0
118.6
132.1
154.9

112.9
108.8
108.6
150.3
121.8
126.7
122.9
108.3
135.6
117.3
121.9
144.0

109.9
110.8
99.3
110.1
103.7
111.0
106.3
108.0
108.1
105.5
106.4
118.1

109.3
109.6
100.2
101.7
98.8
106.0
103.1
103.4
104.1
104.3
104.1
105.6

100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0

101.2
99.2
102.4
95.2
101.7
97.4
96.2
95.8
95.6
94.3
99.3
94.8

107.8
103.3
106.6
93.6
107.1
94.4
95.8
91.1
93.8
93.2
101.7
93.7

107.0
106.0
108.2
93.5
109.8
91.1
95.6
89.0
93.6
93.8
103.1
92.8

105.4
108.5
106.9
92.2
116.6
89.4
96.5
90.1
95.5
94.9
102.5
90.4

106.2
112.7
105.8
90.7
112.4
87.5
96.2
91.4
95.9
92.1
104.1
89.7

109.4
117.9
109.3
91.5
110.0
86.4
95.8
95.8
96.6
88.1
104.9
91.0

109.8
118.6
110.4
93.0
107.6
86.4
95.9
96.0
97.8
82.5
104.3
90.8

107.4
111.5
111.1
94.4
106.9
86.9
97.1
93.7
99.9
80.8
101.2
88.9

103.0
102.8
112.9
91.9
104.7
85.5
97.7
90.4
99.7
77.7
94.7
82.1

83.1
78.6
89.0
86.3
83.4
72.8
89.2
70.2
88.5
81.2
84.4
79.8

91.4
90.4
95.3
95.9
91.9
84.3
94.9
84.8
93.5
90.3
92.9
91.4

100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0

102.5
106.1
102.7
106.0
106.9
110.4
105.0
117.0
104.5
110.3
109.7
106.9

105.7
111.1
105.8
114.8
113.0
120.0
110.0
134.3
106.6
120.9
119.0
114.6

111.0
116.8
110.1
121.6
120.6
130.4
116.3
150.9
111.5
132.2
130.5
124.2

115.4
121.3
115.8
126.3
123.1
136.2
121.2
157.1
113.9
145.0
141.3
133.7

118.0
125.0
118.6
128.8
134.6
141.4
126.9
166.0
116.9
165.6
150.8
142.0

122.6
130.5
120.6
131.2
139.4
147.1
131.8
173.1
117.5
175.7
160.7
149.8

127.3
137.4
128.2
138.1
148.3
153.2
138.2
191.1
118.1
183.4
177.4
162.8

133.8
146.3
138.6
146.3
156.1
159.3
148.0
211.9
122.7
193.4
193.7
180.9

140.6
156.0
147.1
154.6
163.0
166.2
158.3
232.4
127.6
202.2
206.9
197.1

88.1
78.7
96.7
98.7
85.1
80.3
90.6
73.5
94.2
84.3
87.8
88.7

94.8
86.3
99.8
101.7
92.2
90.3
94.4
86.8
95.9
93.6
97.1
96.8

100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0

99.6
98.9
100.8
95.6
101.9
107.6
99.7
111.2
98.1
104.8
103.0
98.6

100.1
95.5
99.7
99.1
108.3
114.9
101.1
116.1
92.7
107.4
106.5
100.5

102.8
97.6
98.4
103.8
114.9
119.9
103.0
123.4
93.9
114.0
116.1
105.1

102.5
102.9
104.9
106.9
124.5
122.8
106.9
127.1
95.7
126.5
123.5
108.8

100.6
105.0
99.2
107.3
136.8
125.1
113.8
130.5
98.4
137.6
130.7
108.9

100.5
109.2
95.4
104.8
136.5
121.6
114.1
132.6
96.1
146.7
137.1
108.9

103.9
115.4
94.8
105.3
140.4
119.8
116.1
141.4
93.5
145.6
147.8
113.5

106.4
121.8
96.1
109.2
146.9
123.1
120.3
150.7
96.9
149.2
160.1
123.9

109.8
128.2
100.4
112.9
149.0
128.8
126.3
160.0
99.2
151.5
169.0
131.6

88.1
83.1
106.7
154.7
126.2
125.2
121.2
116.3
126.8
110.2
130.5
118.1

94.8
88.9
112.6
125.8
107.8
109.2
101.7
103.2
103.0
105.2
120.5
112.1

100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0

99.6
99.0
105.7
85.6
92.9
92.9
94.8
99.1
91.8
92.7
84.4
85.5

100.1
91.0
104.6
78.6
87.3
86.5
86.2
89.5
77.2
85.0
80.9
76.9

102.8
88.2
102.7
80.1
90.4
87.8
85.0
87.5
75.6
85.7
84.8
78.0

102.5
91.4
155.2
109.5
128.3
116.7
119.5
115.4
104.4
110.4
108.9
91.3

100.6
97.8
170.8
131.4
166.7
136.9
153.7
136.3
129.8
131.8
129.4
102.2

100.5
109.5
185.3
130.5
169.0
134.2
157.7
137.9
129.8
145.2
140.3
111.0

103.9
120.3
171.1
122.3
160.1
123.6
149.9
139.5
117.7
136.0
143.9
106.3

106.4
128.8
165.1
149.6
198.1
148.7
180.8
170.2
142.1
154.0
169.9
126.5

109.8
138.1
185.8
151.2
194.2
150.0
184.6
174.6
141.6
150.7
175.5
133.0

-

-

Compensation per hour

United States........................................................

1982

76.9
52.0
44.3
57.2
58.5
67.0
54.6
52.9
74.5
68.9
70.9

-

Total hours

United States........................................................

1981

51.6
18.6
24.2
32.4
30.7
38.6
29.1
26.5
47.8
36.1
49.4

Output

Japan ...................................................................
Belgium.................................................................

1980

-

16.4
6.6
9.1
7.7
7.4
13.5
3.9
8.9
9.9
9.3
7.2
-

31.9
35.3
37.7
23.8
24.0
35.0
13.5
33.4
20.6
25.8
14.6
-

40.6
24.4
34.6
28.8
32.2
20.4
29.5
23.7
18.7
31.3
23.4

-

28.7
25.0
23.2
22.3
17.8
34.5
11.6
27.8
24.6
24.4
14.9
-

37.3
48.0
52.2
39.0
30.4
51.4
21.3
52.7
33.0
35.4
21.0
-

44.1
33.4
48.2
43.4
36.2
34.2
46.0
38.9
29.8
42.8
28.7

-

35.9
40.7
35.5
34.5
25.5
48.2
17.7
43.4
35.3
34.3
22.6
-

39.1
61.6
61.3
47.4
37.1
61.5
27.1
64.5
40.9
42.3
26.9
-

48.2
56.6
72.3
65.7
55.0
56.4
63.1
62.0
46.0
61.1
37.7

- Data not available.


https://fraser.stlouisfed.org
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

Monthly Labor Review May 1993

121

Current Labor Statistics: Injury and Illness Data
51.

Occupational injury and illness incidence rates by industry,1 United States
Incidence rates per 100 full-time workers3

Industry and type of case2
1983

1984

1985

1986

1987

1988

1989'

1990

1991

PRIVATE SECTOR 4

Total cases..........................................................................................
Lost workday c a se s.............................................................................
Lost workdays......................................................................................

7.6
3.4
58.5

8.0
3.7
63.4

7.9
3.6
64.9

7.9
3.6
65.8

8.3
3.8
69.9

8.6
4.0
76.1

8.6
4.0
78.7

8.8
4.1
84.0

8.4
3.9
86.5

11.9
6.1
90.8

12.0
6.1
90.7

11.4
5.7
91.3

11.2
5.6
93.6

11.2
5.7
94.1

10.9
5.6
101.8

10.9
5.7
100.9

11.6
5.9
112.2

10.8
5.4
108.3

8.4
4.5
125.1

9.7
5.3
160.2

8.4
4.8
145.3

7.4
4.1
125.9

8.5
4.9
144.0

8.8
5.1
152.1

8.5
4.8
137.2

8.3
5.0
119.5

7.4
4.5
129.6

14.8
6.3
118.2

15.5
6.9
128.1

15.2
6.8
128.9

15.2
6.9
134.5

14.7
6.8
135.8

14.6
6.8
142.2

14.3
6.8
143.3

14.2
6.7
147.9

13.0
6.1
148.1

14.4
6.2
113.0

15.4
6.9
121.3

15.2
6.8
120.4

14.9
6.6
122.7

14.2
6.5
134.0

14.0
6.4
132.2

13.9
6.5
137.3

13.4
6.4
137.6

12.0
5.5
132.0

15.4
6.2
122.4

14.9
6.4
131.7

14.5
6.3
127.3

14.7
6.3
132.9

14.5
6.4
139.1

15.1
7.0
162.3

13.8
6.5
147.1

13.8
6.3
144.6

12.8
6.0
160.1

14.8
6.4
119.0

15.8
7.1
130.1

15.4
7.0
133.3

15.6
7.2
140.4

15.0
7.1
135.7

14.7
7.0
141.1

14.6
6.9
144.9

14.7
6.9
153.1

13.5
6.3
151.3

Total cases...........................................................................................
Lost workday cases ..............................................................................
Lost workdays.......................................................................................

10.0
4.3
73.5

10.6
4.7
77.9

10.4
4.6
80.2

10.6
4.7
85.2

11.9
5.3
95.5

13.1
5.7
107.4

13.1
5.8
113.0

13.2
5.8
120.7

12.7
5.6
121.5

Durable goods:
Total cases........................................................................................
Lost workday cases ...........................................................................
Lost workdays....................................................................................

10.3
4.3
73.4

11.1
4.8
79.9

10.9
4.7
82.0

11.0
4.8
87.1

12.5
5.4
96.8

14.2
5.9
111.1

14.1
6.0
116.5

14.2
6.0
123.3

13.6
5.7
122.9

18.3
9.2
163.5

19.6
9.9
172.0

18.5
9.3
171.4

18.9
9.7
177.2

18.9
9.6
176.5

19.5
10.0
189.1

18.4
9.4
177.5

18.1
8.8
172.5

16.8
8.3
172.0

14.1
5.7
83.0

15.3
6.4
101.5

15.0
6.3
100.4

15.2
6.3
103.0

15.4
6.7
103.6

16.6
7.3
115.7

16.1
7.2
124.9

16.9
7.8
139.2

15.9
7.2
131.2

13.1
6.0
112.0

13.6
6.6
120.8

13.9
6.7
127.8

13.6
6.5
126.0

14.9
7.1
135.8

16.0
7.5
141.0

15.5
7.4
149.8

15.4
7.3
160.5

14.8
6.8
156.0

12.4
5.4
103.4

13.3
6.1
115.3

12.6
5.7
113.8

13.6
6.1
125.5

17.0
7.4
145.8

19.4
8.2
161.3

18.7
8.1
168.3

19.0
8.1
180.2

17.7
7.4
169.1

15.1
6.1
96.5

16.1
6.7
104.9

16.3
6.9
110.1

16.0
6.8
115.5

17.0
7.2
121.9

18.8
8.0
138.8

18.5
7.9
147.6

18.7
7.9
155.7

17.4
7.1
146.6

9.8
3.6
58.1

10.7
4.1
65.8

10.8
4.2
69.3

10.7
4.2
72.0

11.3
4.4
72.7

12.1
4.7
82.8

12.1
4.8
86.8

12.0
4.7
88.9

11.2
4.4
86.6

6.3
2.6
41.4

6.8
2.8
45.0

6.4
2.7
45.7

6.4
2.7
49.8

7.2
3.1
55.9

8.0
3.3
64.6

9.1
3.9
77.5

9.1
3.8
79.4

8.6
3.7
83.0

8.4
3.6
64.5

9.3
4.2
68.8

9.0
3.9
71.6

9.6
4.1
79.1

13.5
5.7
105.7

17.7
6.6
134.2

17.7
6.8
138.6

17.8
6.9
153.7

18.3
7.0
166.1

5.2
2.1
35.6

5.4
2.2
37.5

5.2
2.2
37.9

5.3
2.3
42.2

5.8
2.4
43.9

6.1
2.6
51.5

5.6
2.5
55.4

5.9
2.7
57.8

6.0
2.7
64.4

9.9
4.0
66.3

10.5
4.3
70.2

9.7
4.2
73.2

10.2
4.3
70.9

10.7
4.6
81.5

11.3
5.1
91.0

11.1
5.1
97.6

11.3
5.1
113.1

11.3
5.1
104.0

9.6

9.6

9.6

10.0

11.1

11.4

11.6

11.7

11.5

Agriculture, forestry, and fishing 4

Total cases..........................................................................................
Lost workday cases .............................................................................
Lost workdays......................................................................................
Mining

Total cases..........................................................................................
Lost workday c a se s..............................................................................
Lost workdays.......................................................................................
Construction

Total cases...........................................................................................
Lost workday c a s e s..............................................................................
Lost workdays.......................................................................................
General building contractors:
Total cases...........................................................................................
Lost workday cases ..............................................................................
Lost workdays.......................................................................................
Heavy construction, except building:
Total cases...........................................................................................
Lost workday cases ..............................................................................
Lost workdays......................................................................................
Special trade contractors:
Total cases...........................................................................................
Lost workday cases ..............................................................................
Lost workdays......................................................................................
Manufacturing

Lumber and wood products:
Total cases........................................................................................
Lost workday cases ...........................................................................
Lost workdays....................................................................................
Furniture and fixtures:
Total cases........................................................................................
Lost workday cases ...........................................................................
Lost workdays....................................................................................
Stone, clay, and glass products:
Total cases........................................................................................
Lost workday cases ...........................................................................
Lost workdays....................................................................................
Primary metal industries:
Total cases........................................................................................
Lost workday cases ...........................................................................
Lost workdays....................................................................................
Fabricated metal products:
Total cases........................................................................................
Lost workday cases ...........................................................................
Lost workdays....................................................................................
Industrial machinery and equipment:
Total cases........................................................................................
Lost workday cases ...........................................................................
Lost workdays....................................................................................
Electronic and other electrical equipment:
Total cases........................................................................................
Lost workday cases ...........................................................................
Lost workdays....................................................................................
Transportation equipment:
Total cases........................................................................................
Lost workday cases ...........................................................................
Lost workdays....................................................................................
Instruments and related products:
Total cases........................................................................................
Lost workday cases ...........................................................................
Lost workdays....................................................................................
Miscellaneous manufacturing industries:
Total cases........................................................................................
Lost workday cases ...........................................................................
Lost workdays....................................................................................
Nondurable goods:
Total cases........................................................................................
See footnotes at end of table.

122 Monthly Labor Review May 1993

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51. Continued— Occupational injury and illness incidence rates by industry,1 United States
Incidence rates per 100 full-time workers3
1983

Printing and publishing:
Total cases........................................................................................
Lost workday cases ...........................................................................
Lost workdays....................................................................................
Chemicals and allied products:
Total cases........................................................................................
Lost workday cases ...........................................................................
Lost workdays....................................................................................
Petroleum and coal products:
Total cases........................................................................................
Lost workday cases ...........................................................................
Lost workdays....................................................................................
Rubber and miscellaneous plastics products:
Total cases........................................................................................
Lost workday cases ...........................................................................
Lost workdays....................................................................................
Leather and leather products:
Total cases........................................................................................
Lost workday cases ...........................................................................
Lost workdays....................................................................................

1985

1986

1987

1988

1989'

1990

1991

4.3
73.6

4.4
74.9

4.4
77.6

4.6
82.3

5.1
93.5

5.4
101.7

5.5
107.8

5.6
116.9

5.5
119.7

16.5
7.9
131.2

16.7
8.1
131.6

16.7
8.1
138.0

16.5
8.0
137.8

17.7
8.6
153.7

18.5
9.2
169.7

18.5
9.3
174.7

20.0
9.9
202.6

19.5
9.9
207.2

6.5
3.0
42.8

7.7
3.2
51.7

7.3
3.0
51.7

6.7
2.5
45.6

8.6
2.5
46.4

9.3
2.9
53.0

8.7
3.4
64.2

7.7
3.2
62.3

6.4
2.8
52.0

7.4
2.8
51.4

8.0
3.0
54.0

7.5
3.0
57.4

7.8
3.1
59.3

9.0
3.6
65.9

9.6
4.0
78.8

10.3
4.2
81.4

9.6
4.0
85.1

10.0
4.4
88.3

6.4
2.4
40.6

6.7
2.5
40.9

6.7
2.6
44.1

6.7
2.7
49.4

7.4
3.1
59.5

8.1
3.5
68.2

8.6
3.8
80.5

8.8
3.9
92.1

9.2
4.2
99.9

10.0
4.5
90.3

10.4
4.7
93.8

10.2
4.7
94.6

10.5
4.7
99.5

12.8
5.8
122.3

13.1
5.9
124.3

12.7
5.8
132.9

12.1
5.5
124.8

11.2
5.0
122.7

6.6
2.9
44.6

6.5
2.9
46.0

6.3
2.9
49.2

6.5
2.9
50.8

6.7
3.1
55.1

6.6
3.2
59.8

6.9
3.3
63.8

6.9
3.3
69.8

6.7
3.2
74.5

5.5
2.5
42.3

5.3
2.4
40.8

5.1
2.3
38.8

6.3
2.7
49.4

7.0
3.1
58.8

7.0
3.3
59.0

7.0
3.2
63.4

6.5
3.1
61.6

6.4
3.1
62.4

5.5
2.4
46.8

5.1
2.4
53.5

5.1
2.4
49.9

7.1
3.2
67.5

7.3
3.1
65.9

7.0
3.2
68.4

6.6
3.3
68.1

6.6
3.1
77.3

6.2
2.9
68.2

13.0
6.2
101.4

13.6
6.4
104.3

13.4
6.3
107.4

14.0
6.6
118.2

15.9
7.6
130.8

16.3
8.1
142.9

16.2
8.0
147.2

16.2
7.8
151.3

15.1
7.2
150.9

10.0
4.4
87.3

10.5
4.7
94.4

10.3
4.6
88.3

10.5
4.8
83.4

12.4
5.8
114.5

11.4
5.6
128.2

13.6
6.5
130.4

12.1
5.9
152.3

12.5
5.9
140.8

8.2
4.7
94.9

8.8
5.2
105.1

8.6
5.0
107.1

8.2
4.8
102.1

8.4
4.9
108.1

8.9
5.1
118.6

9.2
5.3
121.5

9.6
5.5
134.1

9.3
5.4
140.0

7.2
3.1
47.8

7.4
3.3
50.5

7.4
3.2
50.7

7.7
3.3
54.0

7.7
3.4
56.1

7.8
3.5
60.9

8.0
3.6
63.5

7.9
3.5
65.6

7.6
3.4
72.0

7.0
3.2
50.6

7.2
3.5
55.5

7.2
3.5
59.8

7.2
3.6
62.5

7.4
3.7
64.0

7.6
3.8
69.2

7.7
4.0
71.9

7.4
3.7
71.5

7.2
3.7
79.2

7.3
3.0
46.7

7.5
3.2
48.4

7.5
3.1
47.0

7.8
3.2
50.5

7.8
3.3
52.9

7.9
3.4
57.6

8.1
3.4
60.0

8.1
3.4
63.2

7.7
3.3
69.1

2.0
.9
12.8

1.9
.9
13.6

2.0
.9
15.4

2.0
.9
17.1

2.0
.9
14.3

2.0
.9
17.2

2.0
.9
17.6

2.4
1.1
27.3

2.4
1.1
24.1

5.1
2.4
37.0

5.2
2.5
41.1

5.4
2.6
45.4

5.3
2.5
43.0

5.5
2.7
45.8

5.4
2.6
47.7

5.5
2.7
51.2

6.0
2.8
56.4

6.2
2.8
60.0

Total workday c a s e s..........................................................................
Total workdays...................................................................................
Food and kindred products:
Total cases........................................................................................
Lost workday cases ...........................................................................
Lost workdays....................................................................................
Tobacco products:
Total cases........................................................................................
Lost workday cases ............................................................ ...............
Lost workdays....................................................................................
Textile mill products:
Total cases........................................................................................
Lost workday cases ...........................................................................
Lost workdays....................................................................................
Apparel and other textile products:
Total cases.........................................................................................
Lost workday cases ...........................................................................
Lost workdays....................................................................................
Paper and allied products:
Total cases........................................................................................
Lost workday cases ...........................................................................
Lost workdays....................................................................................

1984

Transportation and public utilities

Total cases........................... ...............................................................
Lost workday c a se s..............................................................................
Lost workdays.....................................................................................
Wholesale and retail trade

Total cases...........................................................................................
Lost workday c a se s..............................................................................
Lost workdays.......................................................................................
Wholesale trade:
Total cases...........................................................................................
Lost workday c a s e s..............................................................................
Lost workdays.......................................................................................
Retail trade:
Total cases...........................................................................................
Lost workday c a s e s..............................................................................
Lost workdays......................................................................................
Finance, insurance, and real estate

Total cases...........................................................................................
Lost workday cases ..............................................................................
Lost workdays.......................................................................................
Services

Total cases...........................................................................................
Lost workday cases ..............................................................................
Lost workdays.......................................................................................
1 Data for 1989 and subsequent years are based on the S t a n d a r d
M a n u a l , 1987 Edition.
For this reason, they are not
strictly comparable with data for the years 1982-88, which were based on the
S t a n d a r d I n d u s t r i a l C l a s s i f i c a t i o n M a n u a l , 1972 Edition, 1977 Supplement.
2 Total cases include fatalities.
3 The incidence rates represent the number of injuries and illnesses or lost
workdays per 100 full-time workers and were calculated as:
In d u s tr ia l C la s s ific a tio n


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(N/EH) X 200,000, where:
N = number of injuries and illnesses or lost workdays.
EH = total hours worked by all employees during calendar year.
200,000 = base for 100 full-time equivalent workers (working 40 hours per
week, 50 weeks per year.)
4 Excludes farms with fewer than 11 employees since 1976.

Monthly Labor Review May 1993

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